Hobat Collins

Waynesville-Hobart Earl "Wick" Collins, age 81, of Waynesville, formerly of the Allens Creek community passed away Saturday, December 8, 2007 surrounded by his family at his residence. He was a native of Gaston County and had resided in Haywood County most of his life. He was the son of the late Hobart Woodfin and Nellie Ball Collins and the husband of the late Betty Noland Collins whom he was married to for 51 years. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Howard, Bunyon and Glen Collins. He was a foreman at Dayco Corporation and served in the US Navy during World War II. In his early years, Wick was a standout football player for Waynesville Township High School and Coach C.E. Weatherby. He was an avid fisherman and was a loving father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by four daughters, Kay Fernandes of Charleston, SC, Robin Collins and her fiancé Mel Reed of Waynesville, Jenny Taylor and her husband, Skip of Flat Rock and Dawn Cotzin and her husband, Kenny of Asheville; four grandsons, Josh and Kody Fernandes and Noland and Holden Cotzin; two sisters, Mary Hugo and Mildred Caldwell and her husband, Kendrick; two brothers-in-law, Buddy Noland and his wife, Lucille and David Noland and his wife, Angela. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Haywood Regional Medical Center Hospice, 560 Leroy George Drive, Clyde, NC 28721.