Bill was born in Glens Falls Hospital in August 1941, son of Frederick A. and Margaret Derry Collins. Bill, his two brothers, Pete, and Andy, lived in Fort Edward. He attended St. Mary’s Elementary School in Hudson Falls and graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1959. Bill is a proud alumnus of Villanova University and graduated with a BS in Economics with a major in Accounting in 1964. After completing his military service in the US Army. Bill was buyer for department stores in Philadelphia, Scranton, and Baltimore. Bill met his wife, Michele, in Scranton and they were married in 1971. Bill and Michele moved to Hudson Falls and took over as owner/operator of Pender Towly women’s clothing store. In 1994, following the closing of Pender Towly, Bill went to work for the Post Star Newspaper, in circulation, until 2012. He also worked for McCann’s Pharmacy for two years.
As a lifelong advocate for progress in Hudson Falls and Kingsbury, Bill has been involved in many different activities including the Rotary Club of Hudson Falls, being a 50-year member, serving as president twice, and on the board of directors for many years. Bill was also a Trustee of the Kingsbury Town Board for 20 years, member of the Glens Falls 1st National Bank of Hudson Falls Board of Directors, Chairman of Hudson Falls Business Persons Committee, Hudson Falls/Kingsbury Chamber of Commerce serving as President and Secretary, Vice Chairman of 1976 Bicentennial Celebration Committee, Chairman for eight years of the Legs for Lungs 10K Road Race, 35+ years on the Sandy Hill Days Committee.
Bill and Michele had four children, Colleen Sauter, Burke Collins, Kevin Collins, Kathleen Rourke, five grandchildren, and one great grandson.