Walter Collins

Walter LeGrande Collins

Well Done Thou Good and Faithful Servant

Walter LeGrande Collins, our beloved Father (Papa), devoted Husband to Rosemary, his great love for 65 years, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and Great Great Grandfather left this mortal existence to return to his loving Father in Heaven on April 23, 2012.  What a grand reunion.

“LeGrande”, lovingly called by his wife, mother and sister and “Lee” by his friends, was born on April 20, 1920 at home in Fairmont, West Virginia. His parents were Walter Nathaniel Collins and Virginia Rebecca Bolton. Lee’s family moved to Salt Lake City when he was two years old where he later attended South High School. Lee was called “home” to serve his LDS Mission in Fairmont, West Virginia and the surrounding area. There he met Rosemary Summers and after completing his mission, brought her to Salt Lake City where they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 25, 1942. Lee and Rosemary had six children, Walter LeGrande Collins II (Peggy), Alan Leslie Collins (Tamara), Rebecca D. Blatnick, Pamela G. Slade (Jim), Teresa A. Young (Mark), and Jeffrey L. Collins (Cherry), 32 Grandchildren, 77 Great Grandchildren, and 8 Great Great Grandchildren. Lee was survived by his Brother, Edwin Collins and his sister Linda Rae Jones.

Lee was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a phenomenal record keeper, personally and for the Church. Lee served as Stake Clerk for 5 years for 2 Stake Presidents, Ward Clerk for 16 years for 7 Bishops, Assistant Ward Clerk for 6 years for 4 Bishops, Executive Secretary for 4 years, serving 1 Stake President and 1 Bishop in that capacity, and Finance Clerk for one year on his second LDS Mission to Los Angeles.

Lee fulfilled his obligation to his country through his Military Service. He was inducted into the US Army on June 3, 1943, serving in World War II. He completed his Basic Training at Camp Abbott, Oregon. On March 21, 1946 Lee was discharged from active duty with the rank of Staff SGT. Choosing to continue serving, Lee remained in the US Army Reserve. He performed duties in the Engineers and later in the Judge Advocate General Corps. On June 9, 1952 Lee received an appointment as a Warrant Officer, progressing through the grades to retire after 37 years of service as a Warrant Officer W04.

Lee retired after 38 years from Deseret News Press where he was employed as a buyer and purchasing agent. Because of his employment, he gained his love of books and became an avid reader.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, April 27, 2012 at the Brighton 6 ^th Ward, 2915 E. 7800 S. (Bengal Blvd), Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Viewings will be Thursday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Cannon Mortuary, 2460 E. Bengal Blvd. (7600 S.) and Friday before the services between 9:30am and 10:45am. Interment will be at the Mountain View Memorial Estates.

“Enter Thou Into The Joy Of Thy Lord”

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