John Army (Retired)

Augusta, GA - John Joseph Collins, 90, entered into his eternal rest Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at AU Medical Center. Funeral services with Full Military Honors will be Saturday, January 30, 2016, at 2:00 PM from the Hillcrest Mausoleum Chapel in Hillcrest Memorial Park, with Reverend Mr. Elmore G. Butler officiating. Family and friends are requested to assemble at the mausoleum. John was born November 16, 1925, in Neenah, Wisconsin. He was just a teenager at 17 when he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a gunner on the USS Charleston PG-51 in the Pacific. When the war was over, he came home to marry the love of his life, Jean Bibinger. John joined the Army, traveling the world with his family and eventually rising to the rank of Sergeant First Class before retiring. Augusta became John's home and he lived here for over fifty years. He worked Civil Service at Fort Gordon, at Sears, and at Montgomery Ward before he fully retired. John loved bowling and was an active member of Augusta's bowling community for many years. He managed Fort Gordon's Bowling Center I and II and with his wife, Jean, started the Saturday morning league for children. John was also a manager for the Brunswick National Bowling Lanes briefly before fully retiring. He was a long-time member of the Augusta Bowling Association which recognized his work by awarding him the Meritorious Service award. John was also honored to be inducted into the association's Hall of Fame. John had many interests besides bowling, including watching the Atlanta Braves, the Atlanta Falcons, and his beloved Green Bay Packers. He also loved his trips to Las Vegas with Jean during their early retirement years. John was a kind and gentle man, a loving husband, wonderful father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He will be missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Collins. He is survived by his children, Peggy Dineen (Mike), Christine Wills (Frank-deceased), Maureen Broome (Wesley), and John Collins (Doris); nine grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; his brother, Tom Collins (Susan); and numerous nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Broome, Ryan Callaway, Michael Broome, Alex Collins, Jacob Dineen, Brian Wills, and Tony Wills. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the mausoleum. Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors, 2502 Richmond Hill Road, Augusta, GA, 30906.