William Howard Collins

William Howard Collins, 83, of Macon, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2026, at Christ Episcopal Church, 582 Walnut Street, Macon. The family will greet friends for a reception following the service.

Son of the late George Clifton Collins and Mary Wood Collins, Howard was born in Macon on March 24, 1943. Howard moved with his family to Byron, Georgia when he was in first grade. He graduated from Byron High School in 1961 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Mercer University in 1969. Following college, he served on active duty in the Georgia National Guard.

Howard began his career in journalism with The Macon Telegraph and News, where he rose to become managing editor of the Macon News. In 1975, he moved to Lexington, Kentucky, to serve as editor of the Lexington Leader. He later relocated to Pasadena, California, in 1978 to become executive editor of the Pasadena News. In 1984, he transitioned into corporate communications, joining Occidental Petroleum in Los Angeles as vice president of public relations. He retired in 2001 and returned to Macon to be closer to family.

After returning home, Howard remained active in his community. He was involved with athletics through the Mercer Athletic Foundation and was a faithful member of Christ Episcopal Church. He had a deep love for fishing in the high Sierra Mountains, was an avid reader, and enjoyed woodworking, especially building bookshelves for his ever increasing collection of books.

Howard is survived by his wife of 59 years, Bonnie Shepard Collins of Macon; son, Benjamin Harold Collins (Kimberly) of Westlake Village, California; daughter, Melissa Doris Collins Cramer (Alexander) of Richmond, Virginia; “son-in-law”, Thomas Ostoyich of Kingston, New York; five grandchildren: Mason Collins, Caitlin Collins, Natalie Collins, Hayes Cramer, and Miles Cramer; brother, Larry Collins (Charlotte) of Byron, Georgia; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Howard was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Katherine Collins; and brothers, Jerry Collins, Kenneth Collins, and Andy Collins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mercer Athletic Foundation https://advancement.mercer.edu/register/?id=1f6029c0-22d0-48c7-b497-6cad72a50b0c&preview=true or Christ Episcopal Church, Weekend Lunch Program, 582 Walnut Street, Macon, GA 31201.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s at the Cupola, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 6324 Peake Rd, Macon, GA 31210 has charge of the arrangements.