William “Bill” Collins

COLLINS, William "Bill" Age 77, of Plymouth and Fort Myers, passed away peacefully, at home, on Saturday, June 28, surrounded by his loving family. Bill is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dr. Anne (Sullivan); their son, Tim and wife, Sarah (Young) of East Greenwich, RI; and son, Steve and wife, Kelly (Manning) of Hingham.

He was a beloved grandfather to Abby, Emma, Seamus, Jackson and Hunter. He was preceded in death by two infant sons. Growing up in Forest Hills, Bill was rarely seen without a baseball glove or golf club in hand.

He played baseball in the competitive Boston Park League and earned a single-digit handicap in golf, winning multiple club championships. Beyond his own accomplishments, however, Bill's true passion was teaching others the game he loved. Bill was a graduate of Boston College High School and St. Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Stories of his time in Canada are legendary, with adventures that included joining the Royal Canadian Air Force with a student ID, singing on stage with Anne Murray, and regularly hitchhiking from Canada to Boston to visit his future wife. While serving in the Army National Guard, Bill married Anne, the love of his life.

He worked at the MBTA for 25 years as an operator, supervisor and station master. Bill always prioritized his family and community, serving as Scoutmaster for BSA Troop 117 Weymouth, coaching youth baseball and holding elected positions in local government. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.