Edward 'Bull' Collins

Edward “Bull” Collins, 91, El Dorado Springs, was born Nov. 17, 1917, in Gorman, TX, to William Aron Collins and Anna Williams Collins. He passed away Aug. 12, 2009, in St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

Edward served his country in WWII in the 108th Army Infantry regiment. He enlisted Dec. 17, 1944, and was discharged Aug.
1, 1946, serving in the Philippines for 13 months of his enlistment.

On April 24, 1960, he was baptized at the Church of the Nazarene in Tulare, CA.

He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He love to fish and greatly enjoyed his garden, up to his last days.

Edward was in Community Springs Healthcare Facility and he enjoyed his home and friends at the nursing home. He enjoyed his garden (the nursing home set it up for him). It was a great pleasure for Edward to work in his garden daily and he loved to bring the produce to the kitchen for them to prepare.

Edward married Geneva Tankersley on July 8, 1939, in Dexter, NM. They were married 58 years before she preceded him in death in July 1997. To their union two children were born, Wayne and Vickey.


Edward was the last of his siblings, being preceded in death by four brothers and four sisters.

He is survived by his son, Wayne Collins, and his wife, Donna – Tulare, CA; his daughter, Vicky Spencer, and husband, Jim – El Dorado Springs; four grandchildren – Mike Spencer, and wife, Jenny, Cindy Carpenter, and husband, Craig, Dennis Collins and Timothy Spencer; three great-grandchildren – Logan Spencer, Hannah Carpenter and Allison Carpenter; and many other relatives and friends.

Services were held Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in the Bland-Hackleman Chapel with David Studer officiating. Music selections were Precious Lord, Take My Hand and Amazing Grace. Interment followed in the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were – Dennis Collins, Travis Bolen, Rodney Bolen, Craig Carpenter, Timothy Spencer and Mike Spencer.