Collins Jr.

William H. "Billy" Collins Jr., 54, of Oak Road, Chicora, a longtime EMT and the Petrolia Volunteer Fire Department ambulance supervisor, died at 4:50 p.m. Wednesday at Butler Memorial Hospital following a sudden illness.

Billy was born Feb. 11, 1955, in Butler. He was the son of the late William H. Collins Sr. and Josephine Sidone Collins Hobaugh.

Bill was a motorcycle enthusiast. He enjoyed drag racing and hunting.

He had been employed by Witco Chemical and Sonneborn in Petrolia for more than 33 years as a mechanic, and he also worked out of the maintenance department in the hydro-plant, retiring in 2008.

In his early years, he had attended Karns City area schools, and he graduated from Butler High School in 1973.

Billy was an emergency medical technician for more than 35 years and was a former member of the Meridian Volunteer Fire Department, having served the department as lieutenant. In 1987, he became a member of the Petrolia Volunteer Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department.

Mr. Collins had served the fire department as a member of its board of directors and was the assistant ambulance supervisor/commander for many years, later becoming ambulance supervisor/commander, a position he had held for the past 12 years.

Billy is survived by his wife, Ginny (Maxwell) Collins, who he married June 30, 1990, in Kittanning; and a son, Shawn D. Collins of Butler. Also surviving are a number of aunts, uncles and cousins, including Joe Mattace of Leesburg; his mother-in-law, Harriet Maxwell of Butler; and a sister-in-law, Patty Bester of Cranberry Township. Billy also is survived by a number of best friends at the Petrolia EMS and Fire Department.

<B>COLLINS</B> — A memorial gathering to celebrate the life of William H. "Billy" Collins Jr., who died Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Petrolia VFD Social Hall, 200 Argyle St., Petrolia.Memorial contributions may be made to the Petrolia VFD Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 21, Petrolia, PA 16050.Arrangements are under the direction of the <B>Hile Funeral Home </B>of Chicora. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.