William Irvin "Bill" Collins, Jr., 76, of Mardela Springs, Maryland, passed away Tuesday, September 16, 2008, at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. He was born on April 17, 1932, in Morattico, Virginia, a son of the late W. Irvin Collins, Sr. and Audie (Newcomb) Collins. Bill proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a pilot. He worked for many years as an air traffic controller for the Federal Aviation Administration. He was a member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Mardela Springs. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren's sporting events, and was always tinkering and fixing things for his family. He was an avid reader, a NASCAR fan, enjoyed fixing old cars and spending time on his computer. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carolyn Bennett Collins; a son, Dean B. Collins and his wife Rhonda of Laurel; a daughter, Sharon Collins Cooper and her husband Brian of Delmar; five grandchildren, Kory Shiles and his wife April, Dustin Shiles and his wife, Kelly, Nick Cooper, Jaime Scott and her fiancé Scott Cooper, and their daughter, Shea, and Troy Scott and his fiancé Kristy Martin and their children, David and Rylee; two sisters, Mary Katherine Bishop and her husband Jim of Glen Burnie and Barbara Beauchamp and her husband Ken of Trappe; a brother in law, Jack Calloway of Mardela Springs; many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends; and his loving cats; "Kali" and "Little Miss." In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Bruce Collins and a sister, Ann Calloway. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 2 p.m. at the Short Funeral Home, 13 E. Grove Street in Delmar. The Reverend Glenn Lyburn will officiate. Family and friends may call one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the services in Mardela Memorial Cemetery. In memory of Mr. Collins, contributions may be sent to the Mardela High School Athletic Department, P.O. Box A, Mardela Springs, MD 21837 or to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.