Obituary of William Ellis Collier, Jr.

The Life of Reverend William Ellis Collier, Jr. Reverend William "Bill" Collier, Jr. was born November 03, 1950 in Camden, New Jersey. He was the first of six children to Williams Ellis Collier (deceased) and Mildred Covington Collier. He was raised in West Atco, NJ. Bill attended Edgewood Regional Senior High School in Atco, NJ and graduated from Dorsey High School in Los Angeles CA. He obtained a Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering at California State Northridge and received his Masters of science in Technical Management from Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering in Baltimore Maryland. On June 12, 1976 Bill was united in Holy matrimony to Sandra Lee Reavis. He was a gentle, compassionate and loving husband. He leaves Sandra to mourn, but blessed her with passing on their 38th wedding anniversary. Reverend Collier as an active and committed member of Jerusalem A.M.E. Church in Clinton, MD, Pastored by Reverend Dr. Diane H. Johnson. Bill joined Jerusalem on 05/11/2002 with his wife. He preached his initial Sermon on 12/11/2011, Sermon topic: The Healing-Wait on the Lord (Isaiah 40: 28-31, Jeremiah 30:17) and was ordained by the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2014. He served on the Trustee Board and was the former Vice Chair, sang in Spirit of Praise (SOP) Choir, Chaplain and Associate member DVMMMS (Dr. Virginia M. Manning Missionary Society) Sons of Allen Men's Ministry. Bill's careers included the US Post Office, Lockheed, and Rockwell International in Southern California. He began working as a Mechanical Engineer with the Department of Navy in 1979. Assignment locations included: The Naval Weapons Center at China Lake, CA, Point Mugu at Oxnard, CA and Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River, MD. Bill retired as branch Head with the Avionics Architecture and Systems Engineering Division, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault and special Programs Branch where he impacted development and sustainment programs ranging from unmanned Air Systems to Assault Aircraft Programs and The Presidential Transport Program. His work stood testament to his significant contributions to the Navy's aviation capability and our Nation's defense posture. Bill's hobbies included studying his bible, fishing, working on his projects around the house, maintaining & repairing cars, playing his trumpet, singing, all aspects of grandparenting and spending quality time with family and friends. On June 12th Reverend Collier went peacefully to his eternal home with out Heavenly Father. His memory and legacy are survived by his living and dedicated wife Sandra. Their four children: Sandra Lee Collier, Alexis Patrice ( Timothy) Moore II, Attorney Williams Ellis (Kisha) Collier III and Kandice Shavon Collier. Bill's spirit continues to grace the lives of his seven grandchildren: Kevyn Aleksandra Collier-Roberts_, Lyric Jade Moore, Aleise Simone Collier Moore, Timothy William Moore III, Gerald Collier-Bayless II, Ava Marie Moore and Willaims Ellis Collier IV. Bill was preceded in death by his father Williams E. Collier, Sr. and his sister Pauline Collier. He will be eternally missed by his mother Mildred Covington Collier and siblings: Helen (Bruce) Ballenger, Christine "Diane" (Carl) Mason, Eric "Rick" (Rennette) Collier and Stacey (Edward) Tatum. He will be gravely missed by loving aunts and uncles including: Alberta Covington, Dorothy (Gene) Ellison, Anna_Mae Covington, Kenny Covington and Augustine Dickerson. Bill's loving in-laws include his mother-in-law Marion Reavis-Lee, Sister-in-laws: Lillian (Freddie) Williams, Krista (Hollis) Larkins, Sherma ( Charles) Dailey and Terecia Reavis-Gill. In addition, Bill is survived by a host of well-loved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great -nephews, as well as cousins and extended family.