Kern County Obituaries

Bill Ben Collins

Submitted by Don Stowell; 13 Feb 2008

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Source Unknown; 2 Jun 1955

Tragic Plane Crash Snuffs Out Lives of Bill Collins and Young Son, Dale
Bill Ben Collins, 31, and his five year-old son, Dale, were instantly killed 
Sunday afternoon, May 29, when their L-2 Taylorcraft monoplane crashed near 
Standard Hill four miles south of Mojave.
According to the best reconstruction of the accident by C.A.A. inspector 
Lightbody from Van Nuys, the ship evidently stalled in a steep turn and the 
pilot was unable to bring it back under controll. The plane crashed 200 yards 
away from the former residence of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Beck, but did not burn.
Collins had owned this plane for several months and according to Harry Myer, 
managing proprietor of Myer Field, where the ship was stored, Mr. Collins had 
about 45 hours flying time.	
He was employed as a fireman at Edwards A. F. B. for the past several years and 
also worked part time for Vliet's Oil Station. He lived at 713 "I” Street, Mojave 
and had been a resident here for the past nine years.
Dale, his son, was born in Mojave on October 28, 1949 and Bill, the father, was 
born February 14, 1924 in Joplin, Mo.
Survivors are his widow, Jessie, two daughters;, Ruby Nell, and Jessica Ann; four 
brothers, John of Pittsburg, Calif.; Burl of Mojave; Harold of Shafter; and Eugene
U.S.A.F. Japan; four sisters, Mrs. Fern Cook and Mrs. June Thomas of Mojave, Mrs. 
Jewel Farrell, San Bernardino, and CoIleene Collins; and his parents Mr. and Mrs. 
Charles C. Collins of Shafter.
Joint funeral services will be held Thursday, June 2, at 10 a.m. in the O'Donnell 
Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Luchen, Church of God, in Rosamond as officiant 
Pallbearers will be made up of firemen from E.A.F.B. and interment will be in 
Mojave Cemetery.