Billee Ann Collins

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
and he will stand upon the earth at last.
And after my body has decayed, yet in my body
I will see God!  I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.  And I am overwhelmed at the thought!
                                 Job 19:25-27 (NIV)

Obituary

..On Thursday afternoon, September 5, 2024.  Billee Ann Collins departed this world, her spirit soaring to join with her Lord and Creator.
Born, April 17, 1928, in Manhattan, Montana, she was the eldest child of James and Thelma Mulder.  Her Montana roots went back through her mother whose parents traveled as teenagers with their parents from Kentucky to the Gallatin Valley in the late 19th century.
Billee Ann spent her childhood in Helena. The family moved to California in 1941, settling in the beautiful rural valley of Lemon Grove, east of San Diego.  She attended Lemon Grove Elementary School and then Grossmont High School where she met her future husband Charles Warren Collins.  Chuck joined the U.S. Navy out of high school, serving during WWII; then he and Billee attended San Diego State College together. They were married on November 26, 1948, their first child, Kathleen Marie was born in September of 1952, followed by their son, Charles Jr. in April of 1954.
When the children entered school, Billee also returned to university and earned her teaching certificate.  She then began her life-long career as an elementary classroom teacher.
In 1963, the family moved to Vista in north San Diego County where Billee continued her vocation as a classroom teacher and elementary math specialist.  She retired in 1986 but later served in many supportive roles using her skills as an educator and her passion for children.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Chuck and Billee enjoyed traveling around the U.S. in their motorhome.  Their travels included Alaska, Maine and the eastern coast, and as far south as Mexico City.
In 1992, they moved to Flathead Lake in Montana, becoming part of the Polson community. 
Billee continued to be active in retirement, contributing her time and resources wherever she saw a need.  She was a member of the Glacier View Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Ronan, where her unwavering faith was mirrored in her willingness to serve. She took on many supportive roles at the SDA school at Glacier View. Her volunteer work at the Mission Valley Animal Shelter led to a position on the Board of Directors where she served from 1992 until 2017 when she was awarded Director Emeritus. During those years she used her skills and training to teach a program at the local schools on responsible pet ownership.  Billee was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a service organization for outstanding women educators. She joined the local Upsilon Chapter in the Montana State organization, led several community projects, and served in leadership. In 2017, she received the Catherine Nutterville achievement award for Montana, recognizing her exemplary contributions during her career. 
Billee was preceded in death by her husband Chuck (2009), her son Chuck Jr. (February 2024) and her brothers James (1998) and Gerald (2022.)  She is survived by her daughter Kathleen, her two grandchildren, Kaitlin Collins and Ezekiel Douma, her great-grandson, Jeremiah Douma, her brother Ronald Mulder, and a loving extended family of cousins, nieces, nephews, and grands.  She touched the lives of so many during her time. Her memory will be cherished.

Service and Interment in California

There will be a family service later this fall at Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego where BilleeAnn's ashes will be interred alongside her parents.  Date and details will be posted here once final arrangements have been made.  You may contact Kathleen Collins at: norfolkgirl@usa.net if you would like to attend this gathering.

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Service in Montana

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