Surrounded by loving family members, William F. "Bill" Collins, Jr. died Saturday, December 3, 2011 at home in Spearfish, SD, of complication from prostate cancer.

Bill was born September 18, 1944, at Vancouver, WA, to William F. "Frank" and Mildred (Birkeland) Collins.

In 1947 his parents moved to Dupree, SD, where he received his elementary and high school education, graduating in 1962. When he was in his first semester at USD, his father died; and at the age of 19, with the help of an uncle, he took over the responsibility of his dad's farming and ranching operation. He transferred to Northern State College where he graduated with a BS Degree in math education in 1966. He taught and coached football and basketball at Faith, SD, until 1970 when he decided to expand his farming and ranching operation.

On March 24, 1973, he became the father of five sons when he married Joyce Miller Keegan. To this union two girls were born. They continued to reside in Dupree until 1986 when they built a home near Spearfish. For the next several years they maintained two residences to accommodate their children's educations and Bill's farming and ranching activities and to care for Bill's mother.

Bill returned to education intermittently from 1990-2005. He served as CEO of the Dupree School District, and taught math at Nemo Job Corps, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte, Tiospaye Topa and Dupree.

In 2010 he had to give up farming because of his health.

Bill is survived by his loving and caring wife Joyce, Spearfish; daughters Teresa (Scott) Peterson, Lemmon, SD; Jennifer Collins, Newcastle, WY; sons Laverne Keegan, Jamie Keegan, Kevin (Kelly Jean) Keegan all of Belle Fourche, SD; Bruce (Deanne) Keegan, Dupree, SD; Kelly (Jodi) Keegan, Piedmont, SD; sisters, Connie (Bill) Jones, Jean (Allen) Reede, both of Spearfish, SD; and Donna (Doug) Stanford, Deadwood, SD; sixteen grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

Visitation will be noon until 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. The family will be present from 5 until 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 9, 2011 at the United Church of Christ in Dupree where Bill was a lifetime member. Burial follows at the Dupree Cemetery.

Memorial have been established to the UCC Church in Dupree or Hospice of the Northern Hills.