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~Robert “Bob” Lynn Collins Obituary~ Robert (Bob) L. Collins passed on to be with Jesus on October 12, 2026. Bob was born on December 8, 1943, in Gideon, Missouri. His family moved often when he and his older sister were children because his father worked as a mechanic for traveling circuses. The family eventually settled in Miami, Florida, where Bob learned his skills as an auto mechanic while working in the family auto shop. Soon after graduating from high school, Bob joined the US Air Force, where he specialized in aircraft electronics and served on assignment in the United States, Vietnam and Germany. He retired from the Air Force as a master sergeant in 1986 and continued his career in civil service, where he served as an instructor and helped develop software for training Air Force students in electronics. He retired from civil service as a GS-12 in 2005. Bob lived in Biloxi, Mississippi, for nearly 40 years before moving to Longview, Texas, his final home. Bob was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend. He served the Lord by serving others. Bob often helped those needing auto repairs. Whether it was a family member, a neighbor or the friend of a friend, Bob was quick to look at a vehicle, diagnose the problem and get it back on the road. Bob’s love of God’s Word and teaching led Bob to serve as a Sunday School teacher for most of his adult life. He spent hours preparing his lessons, and with Betty by his side, he taught Bible studies up until the last year of his life. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Gordie Lynn Collins and Evelyn Baugus Collins. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Betty Watson Collins; their sons, David (Deonne Nichols Collins) of Hallsville, Texas, and Paul (Amy Schofield Collins) of Azle, Texas; their grandchildren, Jack (Katie), Taylor (Carlee), Sam (Brooke), Ben (Presleigh), and Lauren (engaged to Cullen Furr); and their great-grandchildren, Danielle and Camden. He is also survived by his sister, Charlotte Jean Collins; his sister-in-law, Ann Morris (Glen); and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Son Shine Ministries, P.O. Box 456, Azle, TX 76098-0456, or online at www.equipfamilies.org.Always In Our Hearts Bob Collins December 8, 1943 ~ October 12, 2026
Celebration of Life for Robert “Bob” Lynn Collins Service Chapel of Rader Funeral Home Longview, Texas Eleven O’clock in the Morning Thursday, October 15, 2026 Order of Service Welcome and Share................................................................“Lil” Bob Collins Congregational Singing...“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”..David Collins Pianist................................................................................................Renee Collins Obitaury Reading/Eulogy.............................................................Paul Collins Congregational Singing............“Because He Lives”...........David Collins Pianist................................................................................................Renee Collins Scripture Reading............................................................................Paul Collins Closing Words and Prayer.......................................Bro. Danny Warbington Honorary Pallbearers Jack Collins Taylor Collins Sam Collins Ben Collins Final Resting Place Biloxi National Cemetery Biloxi, MS Nine O’clock in the Morning Friday, October 23, 2026 Military HonorsJames 1:5-6 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.