William George Collier

YORK-William George Collier, 79, passed away Friday, January 7, 2011 at Colonial Manor. He was the loving husband of Anne (McCann) Collier, to whom he was married for 55 years. A celebration of life memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 21, 2011 at National Presbyterian Chapel, 4101 Nebraska Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20016 with the Rev. Eunice T. McGarrahan officiating. A reception will immediately follow at the church. Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc. 1551 Kenneth Road, York, PA is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Collier was born February 9, 1931 in Washington, DC, a son of the late George F. and Mary (Cain) Collier. He was a graduate of Central High School, Washington, DC, the U.S. Naval Academy class of 1955, and later graduated from George Washington University with a Master\'s in International Relations in 1968. After 26 years of Naval service, he was an employee of St. Onge Ruff and Associates, York, for 17 years until his retirement in 1997. He was a member of National Presbyterian Church. Mr. Collier was a U.S. Navy veteran serving his country during Vietnam and Korean Wars. He was a member of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation, Military Officers Association, and a life member of U.S. Naval Athletic Association. He was also a member of LaFayette/DuPont Lodge #19, Farm and Natural Lands Trust of York, and York County Heritage Trust. In addition to his wife, Mr. Collier is survived by two sons, Dr. William G. Collier, Jr. and wife, Toni of Washington, DC, and John R. Collier and wife, Beth of Silver Spring, MD; a daughter Mary F. Collier of Big Timber, MT; five grandchildren, Casey and Jamie Collier of Washington, DC, Leland Bennett of Big Timber, MT, Megan McAuliffe and husband, Robert of Australia, and Jeremy Bennett and wife, Holly of Owings Mills, MD; two great grandsons Henry and Benjamin; and nephew, John J. Fuka and wife, Jill, and their three children all of Clifton, VA. He was preceded in death by a sister Mary Collier. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Farm and Natural Lands Trust, 156 N. George Street, #300, York, PA, 17401.