Billy G. Collins Sr.

Billy G. Collins Sr.

Canastota-Billy G. Collins Sr., 73, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at Upstate Medical Center, following a long illness.

He was born on May 7, 1947, in Oneida, the son of the late Raymond and Lula Arnold Collins. Billy was raised on the family farm on Collins Hill.  Billy was a hard worker who made a career as a house painter and roofer. His whole life, he spent loved being in the woods on Collins Hill.   In his younger years he enjoyed fishing, but as he grew, he devoted his time to hunting on the hill.  Billy had a hobby of collecting “free items,” where ever they could be found, later finding a way to have the items reused.  He liked his lottery scratch offs, bingo, and the “Wheel of Fortune.” He will be remembered as a man that was larger than life, but had a gentle soul.

Billy is survived by a special niece that was his caregiver his final years, Tama Jean Donath, and her husband Raymond of Canastota; his daughter Billy Jo Collins of Canastota; his son Billy G. Collins Jr. of Oneida; his beloved granddaughters Sprit Payne Miles and Phoenix Lilly Collins; his brothers Douglas Collins and Lynn “Murph” Collins both of Munnsville, Terry (Teresa) Collins of Fulton, and Glenn (Kathy) Collins of Munnsville; his sisters Daisy Collins of AZ, Alice Harris, and Frances Danboise of Oneida; several nieces, nephews, and close friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Ray and Lula, and his sister Patricia.

Calling hours for Billy will be held on Tuesday, March 16, from 4-6 PM at the Coolican-McSweeney Funeral Home, 322 Washington in Oneida. Due to the current Covid-19 Crisis, facial masks must be worn, social distancing must be maintained and adjusted total capacity must be followed.  Billy’s family have entrusted his care to Jeffery T. Paul, Funeral Director, at the Coolican-McSweeney Funeral Home. Please visit coolican-mcsweeney.com to offer a condolence or share a memory.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Billy G. Collins Sr., please visit our floral store.