Willie Daniel McCollum's Obituary
Willie Daniel McCollum Jr. passed gently from this world to the next on Monday, August 16th while surrounded by his loving family.
Bill, as he was known by his family and friends was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts on July 12, 1947 to Willie and Addie (Robinson) McCollum.
Bill Graduated from the High School of Commerce in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1966. He also had an excellent athletic career having made the varsity teams in baseball and basketball three years in a roll.
Bill started his 25 year military career with the U.S. Air Force retiring in 1992 as a Master Sergeant. Among the many duty stations he served in was England, Korea and Saudi Arabia during the Desert Storm War. Upon retiring from the service he began an 11 year career with the Social Security Administration.
Bill had a lifelong love for music and singing, having been a member of a number of singing groups from his teens to his adult years, primarily covering the Motown Sound. He also developed a love for tennis and had won a number of senior amateur tournaments.
Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 20 years Brenda (Bowyer) McCollum but was pre-deceased by his mother. His father and step-mother Naomi McCollum live in Springfield, MA. He leaves his sons Brian McCollum of New York, Anthony McCollum of California and daughter Tuwanda (McCollum) Caldwell of Springfield. Also left to cherish his memory are his stepsons Wayne and Neil Kennedy of England, a sister Dian McCollum of Holyoke and brothers Robert McCollum of Springfield and Gary McCollum of Warner Robins GA. He also will be missed by his in-laws Marian and Cleveland Cook, Carolyn and Al Blackman along with a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews from England and the United States.
The funeral services will be held at the Garden Chapel, Monday, August 23, 2010 starting a 12:00 noon at Mountain View Funeral Home 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW Lakewood. There will be a viewing on Sunday, August 22, 2010 from 4:00pm to 9:00pm
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