Kenneth Ray (Ken) Collins

Kenneth Ray (Ken) Collins, 86 of Abilene, passed away at his home on Sunday August 2, 2015. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Thursday, August 6, 2015 at Wylie Methodist Church with graveside service to follow at 3:00 p.m. in the Texas State Veteran Cemetery. A visitation with the family will be held Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.

Ken was born on July 21, 1929 in Sonora, Arkansas to James and Inez Collins. Ken went on to serve his country as a Technical Sergeant in the United States Air Force until his honorable discharge in December of 1960. He would spend 37 years working for Mason Hanger as a government contractor doing many different jobs. Ken and his wife, Joyce, were married in Abilene on June 21, 1998, and in September of 2000, they moved to Abilene permanently after spending their first couple of years of marriage in Amarillo.

Being a Christian was Ken's first priority. He wanted to live his life in a way that influenced others to want to know Jesus as evidenced by his loving participation in the Gideon Organization. Ken was a carpenter, accountant and gardener among other things and he used those skills to serve others. His deep love for people made him a father figure and family member to many more than his immediate family.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, James and Inez Collins, his first wife, Peggy Edwards Collins, daughter-in-law Lori Nolan Collins, grandson Gregory Mendel Elliott, two brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his wife Joyce Collins of Abilene, daughter Carol Thomson and husband Tom of Lubbock, Texas, son Bryan Collins of Denton, Texas and brother Steven Collins and wife Phyllis of Midwest City, Oklahoma; step-sons Mark Jones and wife Grace of Abilene and Stephen Jones and wife Beverly of Pojoaque, New Mexico; step-daughters Joanna Moncada and husband Sal and Tracy Menard and husband Mike all of Abilene, as well as 22 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and host of extended family and close friends.

The family requests that donations be made in honor of Ken to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN, 37214-0800. Condolences can be offered online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.