August 5, 2025
He’s survived by his spouse of 45 years, seven kids, and 21 grandchildren
Former College of Colorado Boulder soccer participant Invoice Collins, the college’s first Black soccer captain, has handed away on the age of 76.
The varsity introduced that Collins handed away in Dallas on July 31 after a protracted battle with most cancers. Whereas taking part in at CU, he was one in every of three captains on the group throughout his tenure on the 1969 group. Racism was nonetheless rampant throughout that point, and at the beginning of a recreation in opposition to Alabama, which had no Black gamers, the Alabama group tried to intimidate Collins when he appeared along with his co-captains for the coin toss, sending all 40 gamers (all white) on the group to fulfill them midfield.
“Invoice Collins was an incredible teammate and buddy throughout our time at CU and after,” stated teammate and School Soccer Corridor of Famer Bobby Anderson. “Invoice took that brave stroll to midfield for the coin toss by himself when Alabama had despatched out the complete 40-some all-white gamers to characterize them that nobody related to our group will ever neglect.”
That incident occurred throughout his senior season, when he earned second-team All-Massive Eight honors. He was additionally awarded the convention’s participant of the week within the group’s 35-14 victory over Tulsa after they opened the season at Folsom Subject. As a defensive deal with, he recorded 23 tackles (7 unassisted), which was a faculty document on the time.
Throughout his profession at CU, he had 167 tackles (57 solo, 11 for losses with 5 quarterback sacks) and eight move deflections in 25 video games.
Collins is survived by his spouse of 45 years, Esther D., seven kids, daughters Tammy Franklin Kirk, Da’Vidra West, Tamara Collins, Daybreak Wilburn, Kimberly Tripp (Derrick), Celeste Howell (Keith) and son William “Invoice” III (Novelette), 21 grandchildren: Kerrion, Carrington (Maxx), Caziah (Alena), Kennedy, Micah, Brandon, Andrew, Imani, Derrick II, Kelise, Gideon-Michael, William III, Caleb, Stephen-Gabriel, Evadney, John-Alan, Dylan, Kendyl, Kason, Kenzlie, Keith III and two great-grandchildren (Shiloh and Levi Noelle).
There’s a scheduled viewing on Aug. 6 from 3-8 p.m. (CDT) at Evergreen Funeral Dwelling (6449 College Hills Blvd., Dallas, TX 75241). The celebratory service will happen Aug. 7, with viewing from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The celebration of life shall be on the Oakcliff Bible Fellowship, 1660 West Camp Knowledge Street, Dallas, TX 75232. Playing cards and items may be despatched to 1201 Frost Hole Drive, DeSoto, TX 75115.
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