William "John" Collier

William "John" Collier died peacefully on December 21, 2021, after a rich life and a brief illness. A native Houstonian, John was born at home to Virginia and Bill Collier on July 23, 1933. He attended River Oaks Elementary, West University Elementary, Pershing Junior High, and drove his 1926 Model T Ford Roadster to and from Lamar High School, where he was in the Class of 1951. John studied at the University of Texas at Austin, was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, and graduated from The University of Houston. He then embarked upon a successful career in sales, primarily serving the oil field and marine industries, and spent nearly 50 years with Specialties Company.



John relished life and cheated death on more than one occasion. He was a great storyteller, had a keen wit, an infallible memory, and a lifetime supply of corny jokes. He was fiercely loyal, loved honest and hardworking people, and in his life and career, cherished the relationships he built with his dear friends and customers. John had an affinity for Texas barbecue, Italian sports cars, WWII history, and traveling the world with his wife Irene. Together, they built a log cabin in tiny Kingston, New Mexico, which was their vacation home until it became their full-time residence upon their retirement. Above all, John loved his family, delighted in his grandchildren, had an impenetrable faith and a boundless wonder for God's creation, especially in the natural beauty of Kingston and the Gila National Forest.



John is predeceased by his parents, his brother Alfred Chadwick Collier, Sr., his son Jack Collier, Sr., his in-laws Beth and Phillips Shannon, and his sister-in-law Marilyn Shannon. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years Irene Shannon Collier, their children Jay Collier and wife Joanne, Julia Collier Humphreys and husband David, Allison Collier, Beth Waldon Finkbeiner and husband Spencer, and Jesse Waldon; daughter-in-law Blake Collier Burleson and husband Mark; grandchildren Jack Collier, Jr., William Collier, Ford Collier, Miller Humphreys, Angel Collier, Rylee Waldon-Odekirk, Collier Humphreys, and Roc Taylor, Jr. John is also survived by his brother-in-law Phillip Shannon, sisters-in-law Barbara Shannon, Teresa Stevenson and husband Mark, Bettina Mirdjani and husband Frank, and Dianne McLeod, numerous nieces and nephews, and his frisky canines Lucky and Buddy J. Pomm. The family would also like to extend its gratitude to Christina Rogers for her friendship, care, and sense of humor during these last years.



There will be a private memorial service in Houston at a date to be announced. The family asks that in lieu of customary remembrances, please consider directing memorial contributions in John's name to Shriners Hospital for Children (lovetotherescue.org).