Neil Collins

We lost a rare man of integrity on March 20, 2018. Neil Collins was kind and loyal. He was an honest husband, dad, grandpa, brother, friend, and businessman. Neil was born in Columbus, Ohio, on September 15, 1944, to Neil Collins Sr. and Jeanne Beckert Collins. He attended St. Thomas Aquinas his freshman year, then Bishop Hartley High School in Columbus until his family moved to Centerville, Ohio his senior year. Neil graduated from Centerville High School in 1963. Neil enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1964. He served in the 6th division of the U.S. Army while stationed at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington. There, he met Wanda Hamilton Collins, his wife of nearly 51 years. After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1966, Neil attended the University of Washington graduating in 1970 with a BA in Education and Political Science/Geography. Neil was a huge, lifelong fan of Husky Football and held season tickets for over twenty years. Neil and Wanda raised their family in Clinton, Washington on Whidbey Island. For 15 years Neil commuted across Puget Sound on the Whidbey Island/Mukilteo ferry each day to run his business, Mukilteo Insurance. During retirement, Neil golfed, swam, enjoyed music and treasured the beaches of Florida which he referred to as “paradise.” For nearly a decade, Neil relaxed with his morning coffee as he watched the birds and an occasional alligator outside the window of his Clearwater, FL, condo. Neil described Florida, as well as other impressive sites and experiences, by using his favorite term, “That’s awesome.” Neil rediscovered his Catholic faith in 1998, which he honored until the end. Neil leaves behind his wife, Wanda Collins of Yakima, Washington and their little dog, Renee. Neil leaves his daughter, Angela Collins of Mukilteo, Washington, his son, Neil B. Collins of Richland, Washington, along with his three brothers, Edward Collins of Dayton, Ohio, Christopher (Pam) Collins and their son, Brian Collins of Stow, Ohio, and Timothy (Shannon) Collins and their son, Daniel Collins. Survivors also include Angela’s two sons, Mason Leary (19) and Braden Leary (17) of Mukilteo, Washington. Neil’s grandsons made him proud and brought him great joy. He thought they were awesome. Friends and Family are encouraged to attend a service in Neil’s honor on May 12, 10:30 A.M. St. Paul Cathedral 15 S. 12th Ave., Yakima, WA. *A purple and gold, UW themed reception will follow at The American Legion, 1120 N. 34th Ave. Yakima, WA. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Neil Collins, please visit our flower store.