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Bill Collins
March 25, 1924 - December 31, 2013
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association was saddened by the passing of legendary horseman Bill Collins from natural causes on Tuesday, December 31, 2013, at the age of 89.
Bill will be remembered as a true champion of the horse. Bill got his start in the chuckwagon business in 1943 as an outrider for Orville Strandquist. in 1946, Bill and Glen McQuay entered a chuckwagon at the Calgary Stampede under the canvas of "McQuay & Collins" with Orville Strandquist diving, and split 7th overall. 1946 also saw Bill win his first of what would be three Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby as an outrider for the Johnnie Phelan outfit driven by Ronnie Glass, with additional championships coming in 1947 and 1949.
Bill started driving chuckwagons in 1948 on one of Cliff Claggett's famous barnstorming tours in eastern Canada. He became so proficient that Ronnie Glass asked him to drive the Johnnie Phelan outfit at the Calgary Stampede later that summer. He did just that, and in his first Calgary Stampede as a chuckwagon driver, Bill Collins drove the Johnnie Phelan outfit to a second place overall finish. He won the 1950 Hand Hills Stampede driving the Johnnie Phelan outfit, and drove three more years at the Calgary Stampede from 1950-1952. He acted as a chuckwagon judge at the Calgary Stampede from 1955 to 1968.
Bill was also one of Canada's premiere rodeo competitors. He first competed in the rodeo at the Calgary Stampede in 1946 in the Steer Decorating and Tie Down Roping events. He was a four-time Canadian Tie Down Roping Champion in 1951, 1952, 1956, and 1957 and was the 1954 Canadian Wild Cow Milking Champion as well.
In 1955, Bill began working with cutting horses, and was the Canadian Open Cutting Horse Champion eight-times in 1964, 1967, 1973, 1974, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1985, and when they first introduce the finals of the Canadian Open in 1974, Bill was the finals Champion in 1979 and 1981. In 1973, Bill helped bring cutting to the Calgary Stampede, and in 1976, he helped promote the first Alberta Stakes and Futurity Association (now Canadian Supreme), which took space at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta.Bill taught clinics worldwide between the 1950's and 1980's. From the 1970's to the mid-1990's, he was a judge for the Canadian Cutting Horse Association (CCHA), the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), presiding over competitions throughout North America, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, and England.
Bill was honored with the Calgary Stampede's Pioneers Of Rodeo Award in 1990, and in 1996 was made a Member of the Order of Canada for "playing a major role in the preservation of western Canada's ranching history and tradition as a cutting horse and rodeo judge, trainer and prize-winning competitor. One of those naturals who are born to the saddle, he has been an unofficial ambassador for Canada, sharing his rodeo skills and enthusiasm with equestrians around the world, particularly young people."
Bill was inducted into the CCHA Hall of Fame in 1987, the Canadian Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1994, and the NCHA Hall of Fame, in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1995. In 2007 Bill was the first Canadian to be inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame.
Bill is survived by his wife of 39 years, Pearl Collins; his children, Russell and Billie-Lynn of Vancouver, Philip (Shannon) of Calgary and their children, Liam, Declan, and Baillie; his sister, Martha Christie of Invermere and her children, Paula-Marie, Nat, Phillip, and Carla-Jo; his stepson, Gary Coleman of Sherwood Park and his children, Benjamin and Jessica; his step- granddaughter, Jenna Syme of Brandon, Manitoba and her son Zakary; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Russell and Marie Collins; his brother and his wife, Bob and Louella of Stettler; his brother-in-law, Nat Christie of Invermere; and his stepson, Paul Coleman of Ottawa.
A private family service will be held with cremation to follow and a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.Donations in memory of Bill may be made to a charity of one's choice or to the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Bill Collins Youth Scholarship Fund. To send condolences or to share a memory, tribute or photo, please visit www.glenwoodmemorial.com.
Bill will be missed by all in the WPCA, and we extend our sincere condolences to the Collins family.
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