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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Collins, Lawrence “Larry” “Papa” William

Age 86

COLLINS, Lawrence “Larry” “Papa” William (12.14.1926 - 10.30.2013) Larry was a good, strong man of faith, a hard worker, and an absolute joy to anyone who met him.

He was surrounded by loved ones and passed away quickly and peacefully with his grandchildren by his side on the morning of October 30, 2013.

He grew up in a small house in west Spokane with his father John, mother Rose Mary, and 5 siblings, where his mother “somehow managed to fill the table every night”.

After attending Gonzaga Prep Larry briefly worked as a steal worker and was then drafted into the U.S. Army during WWII.

Although he had aspirations of becoming a math teacher, upon returning home from the war, he was given a summer job at the Hostess bakery where he became a foreman and spent 40 years diligently working until eventually retiring in 1988.

In 1953, he married his wife, Dee, with whom he shared 45 happy years of marriage until she preceded him in death in 1998.

Their Christmas parties, dinner with friends and family, trips to Iowa and Westport, and drives in the country will forever be cherished in the hearts of many.

Larry was happiest in the west plains hunting pheasant with one of his dogs by his side or catching an early morning charter out of Westport to fish for salmon that he would later smoke.

Trips back to Iowa were frequent where Cadillac’s and Buicks would zoom Larry and Dee across the country in a matter of days to go visit loved ones.

Larry was commissioned an Apostle of Prayer at St. Aloysius Church where he and his wife served as Eucharistic ministers.

An avid sports fan, if the Mariners ever win the series, Papa will be smiling in Heaven.

So very witty, intelligent, trustworthy, funny and incredibly special, Larry will forever be missed and remembered by all who knew him, and the wisdom and stories he shared shall never be forgotten.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, wife and all of his siblings.

He is survived in death by his stepson Doug Hamilton (Anita), stepdaughter Debbie Hamilton (Greg Usher), his grandchildren Angie Castillo (Fernando) and Ryan Hamilton, his great-grandchildren Fernando, Oliver, Kaleb and Elliot and many nieces and nephews.

A rosary will be held at 6p.m.

on Thursday, November 7, 2013 and a funeral service at 1p.m.

on Friday, November 8, 2013, both at Hennessey Funeral Home, 2203 N. Division St., Spokane, with burial service at Holy Cross Cemetery and then reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions please be made to Hospice House of Spokane, who provided Larry with loving care in his final days.

To view Larry’s online memorial, please visit www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements entrusted to: