Register now to get rid of these ads!

RIP: Bill Collins

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Ryan, Apr 25, 2007.

  1. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,633

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 1, 2014
  2. Orange54
    Joined: Mar 6, 2004
    Posts: 795

    Orange54
    Member
    from Missouri

    Last year was my first but for sure not the last drags I'll attend.

    I didn't talk to him cause he looked pretty focused on making a run, but that image is exactly as I remember him and the car. I studied that ride quite a while. It's a work of art.

    Sorry for the loss.
     
  3. Casey
    Joined: Nov 8, 2005
    Posts: 3,293

    Casey
    Member Emeritus

    good by bill ! boy his face and eyes lit up , when he got in that time machine . sad .
     
    67stang likes this.
  4. raven
    Joined: Aug 19, 2002
    Posts: 4,698

    raven
    Member

    Oh hell no.
    That can't be.
    r
     

  5. I really liked that car, I enjoyed seeing it at the Roundup. I wish I could have met and talked to Bill...
     
  6. junk runner jr
    Joined: Dec 21, 2001
    Posts: 456

    junk runner jr
    Member

    I never met the man but I can tell from the picture what kind of guy he was...

    I think it is only fitting that the photo become a permanent part of the HAMB as a memorial to our fellow "Car Guy" Bill.

    Thanks for allowing all of us to share in your passion, even it was only for a short time.
     
  7. Jeff Norwell
    Joined: Aug 20, 2003
    Posts: 14,809

    Jeff Norwell
    MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    I sure hope I can smile like that in the future.....I saw that car at the LSR and it made me smile... just like Bill.

    RIP
     
  8. exactly! sure wish I could have spoken to him and shook his hand. they did an awesome job on that car:D
     
  9. MarkX
    Joined: Apr 8, 2003
    Posts: 1,232

    MarkX
    Member
    from ...TX

    Rip.........
     
  10. hotrodladycrusr
    Joined: Sep 20, 2002
    Posts: 20,765

    hotrodladycrusr
    Member

    Yes, we should all be so lucky..........

    Very sad day indeed
     
  11. knuckle
    Joined: Jan 29, 2005
    Posts: 104

    knuckle
    Member
    from Missery

    I can distinctly replay watching him make a pass at the drags in my head, It's the first thing that happened when I saw the photo and read RIP. I remember thinking that I hoped to be doing the same types of things in my later years.
     
  12. GARY?
    Joined: Aug 15, 2005
    Posts: 1,631

    GARY?
    Member

    I used to think "getting old" was a bad thing. People like Bill are a constant reminder that the things you have a passion for can keep you young at heart at least 'till the end.
    Very sorry to hear of his passing.
    Greatfull to have seen him make a pass.
    again, god-speed Bill
     
  13. Kevin Lee
    Joined: Nov 12, 2001
    Posts: 7,582

    Kevin Lee
    Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    I remember his pass at MoKan, and I remember those guys pulling up to the registration tent and asking "Where's tech?". Then as we all slowly made our way around the table slack-jawed and started making circles around the trailer Ryan was able to get out, "You just passed." :)

    I'm going to work a little harder and a little later in the garage tonight.
     
  14. Very sad news to hear. R.I.P. Bill Collins
     
  15. REJ
    Joined: Mar 4, 2004
    Posts: 1,612

    REJ
    Member
    from FLA

    Rest in Peace, and may we all go out doing what we love, like you did.
     
  16. Nice write up. We all got to chat with him a bit last year at the HAMB Drags as they setup right next to us. Beautiful car and a great guy. That ear to ear grin was with him all day while taking the Scorpion down the 1/4 numerous times.
     
  17. R.I.P

    That photo is one of the most wonderful I've ever seen, sums up the HAMB drags to me....
     
  18. VonDad
    Joined: Apr 17, 2001
    Posts: 228

    VonDad
    Member

  19. Rand Man
    Joined: Aug 23, 2004
    Posts: 4,860

    Rand Man
    Member

    I was standing there at the timeslip shack when they handed it to him. You could really tell how much that run meant to him. His spirit lives on in that photo. Yes it's the thrill of the moment, but there's also a bit of that far away look. Re-living past glory or the satisfaction of reaching a goal, who knows. Lots of good vibes.
     
  20. Wyle E Coyote
    Joined: May 24, 2006
    Posts: 442

    Wyle E Coyote
    Member

    These are all of the shots I had of Bill and the car from that day. They are still compressed and resized, if anyone wants one full size just let me know and I'll email it to you.

    Bill left an indelible impression on me with that gleam in his eye and that smile on his face that day. Thanks Bill... RIP.
     

    Attached Files:

  21. Asphalt Outlaw Hero
    Joined: Dec 9, 2006
    Posts: 963

    Asphalt Outlaw Hero
    Member
    from Dixie

    The smile will live forever.I saw the car in Ky. at the Rodders reunion.I remember photos of it in the 50's as I looked at my Brother's HRM's.It was a real rush to see it in the flesh.RIP
     
  22. Lucky77
    Joined: Mar 27, 2006
    Posts: 2,495

    Lucky77
    Member

    What a fantastic picture. I'll bet he had that same smile as a kid getting his first taste of speed. It's great to see the passion never dies.
     
  23. Big Tony
    Joined: Mar 29, 2006
    Posts: 3,588

    Big Tony
    Member

    Most definately a tragic loss and he will be missed
     
  24. zman
    Joined: Apr 2, 2001
    Posts: 16,730

    zman
    Member
    from Garner, NC

    Seeing this today bummed me out at first... then I thought about it... I really hope I'm smiling like that at that age.... Dude definately had it going on..... RIP...
     
  25. dwrfab
    Joined: May 21, 2006
    Posts: 407

    dwrfab
    Member
    from Dallas TX.

    Group:
    Bills funeral will be Saturday evening at 4:00 PM.

    At, Byrum Funeral Home
    425 N. Dallas Av.
    Lancaster TX. 75146
    Phone, 972-277-2121
    Visitation will be Friday evening at 6:30 to 8:30 PM>

    Thanks Don Ross
     
  26. Hope I can still smile like that when I get older! RIP Bill.
     
  27. donnie
    Joined: Sep 8, 2005
    Posts: 191

    donnie
    Member
    from NC

    Godspeed Bill.
     
  28. I agree that the pictures are very cool, and I had a thought or two. Maybe someone could get a quality enlargement(s), make Bill an Honorary H.A.M.B. Alliance member with a special tag, get one of his H.A.M.B. Drags timing slips, and put it all under glass at a professional frame shop. I'd be willing to put in a few bucks toward something like this.

    Thanks,
    Kurt
     
  29. alleyoop
    Joined: Jan 2, 2007
    Posts: 274

    alleyoop
    Member

    Gods speed bill rip His story would be a good one.
     
  30. Rusty
    Joined: Mar 4, 2004
    Posts: 9,473

    Rusty
    Member


    Thanks Don

    Rusty
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.