South Royalton, Vt. —
He was born Nov. 21, 1933 in Strafford, Vt., the son of Carroll and Maude (Ladd) Collins. He attended school in West Fairlee, Vt., and later Thetford, Vt., where he graduated in 1952 from Thetford Academy.
On April 28, 1956 he married Dora Wood of Waterbury Center, Vt. They lived all their married life in South Royalton, where they raised their large family.
Ray worked at the South Royalton Poultry Plant, was a custodian at the South Royalton School and the South Royalton Post Office and mowed for the South Royalton Cemeteries. The job he truly loved was farming, either for himself or for others.
He was a member of the United Church of South Royalton. He enjoyed fishing, Bible studies, band concerts, dancing and family functions.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dora Collins of South Royalton; three sons, William Collins and his wife, Shari of South Royalton, Mike Collins and his wife, Lori of Cornish, N.H., Raymond Collins, Jr. and his wife, Kate of South Royalton; a son-in-law, Al Miller of Sharon, Vt.; two daughters, Ruby Ballou and her husband Harvey of South Royalton and Jo-Ann Miller of Randolph, Vt.; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Shirley Cummings of Sharon and Barbara Parker of South Royalton; and nieces, nephews and cousins.
There will be no public calling hours. A memorial funeral service will be held Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, at 10 a.m. at the United Church of South Royalton with Rev. Josh Moore officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the South Royalton Food Shelf or the Church Deacon’s Fund, either can be sent C/O the United Church of South Royalton, P.O. Box 116, So. Royalton, VT 05068.
Ray’s family would like to express a sincere thank you to the staff at the Jack Byrne Center and Sheri Blakeman, for their tender care.
The Boardway and Cilley Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. A private message of sympathy for the family can be shared at www.boardwaycilley.com.