Married 4 May 1841, Carroll Co., KY

BROTHER OF REAR ADMIRAL NAPOLEON COLLINS.
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Collins, W.W. (Book B?) Will Wr. 17 Nov. 1879. Rec. 30 Dec. 1879. Lavina Collins, my wife (note: this is his second wife), and my sons, P.J. and Smith Collins to be exec. My son, William A. Collins, three sons, James, Smith and Harry, money for watches, horse and buggy to my grandsons, Clifford and Frederick, sons of William A., Harry son of P.J. and James son of Smith.
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From the Madison Daily Evening Star, Jefferson Co., IN
Friday, 26 Dec 1879

About 8 o'clock this morning, after a lingering illness of a little over nine months, Capt. W.W. Collins, in response to a call from the angel of Death, passed over the river of time into the silent hands, at the age of fifty nine years. He was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., March 16th, 1820, and was brought to this city, which has been always been his home, in June of the same year. He was a captain during the late war, in the U.S. transport service, commanding quite a number of different boats. Since which time he has been actively engaged in business. He was married in 1841 to the daughter of Major Winslow, of Carrollton, Ky., who bore him four children, all boys, who are living to-day. His wife dying in 1860, he again married Miss Lavina King, of Indianapolis, who is now living, but in very feeble health, with his son, Dr. W. A. Collins, of this place. He was largely and favorably known throughout the country as a man of integrity and indomitable energy. For over 40 years he has been identified with the leading manufactories of the west, and can be spoken of as one who his neighbor as himself. His funeral will take place Sunday from the residence on North Mulbery street.

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From The Madison Evening Courier, Jefferson Co., IN
26 Dec 1879

Captain W. W. Collins, who has been sick for several weeks at the residence of his son, Dr. W.A. Collins, on Mulberry street, died this morning at 7:30. In the death of Capt. Collins Madison loses one of its oldest and most esteemed citizens--one whose life was past in useful activity, and who social qualities won him many warm friends. He was a native of Westmoreland county, Pa. He was born March 4th, 1820, and hence was in his sixtieth year. He came here with his parents in his infancy, and had made this city his home all his life. He was in earlier life actively engaged in mercantile business and steamboating, and in every capacity in which he acted he was the embodiment of energy. In the early part of the war he was in the pay department of the army, and later was in the Government service as clerk or captain of boats, being associated with Messrs. JS. & R.E. Neal, and between them the warmest friendship existed, notwithstanding they differed widely in politices. Deceased was captain of the steamer City of Madison when it blew up at Vicksburg. The boat was loaded with 400 tons of war munitions, poweder in barrels, &c. A deck-hand let a shell fall from his hands, which exploded, causing an explosion of all the munition on board. The boat was blown to atoms and several persons were killed. Capt. Collins, however, miraculously escaped injury.

At the close of the war he was sent to the lower trade to look after the interests of the Neal brothers. He was last engaged in business as superintendent of the Knox starch works at Vincennes, and relinquished the position on account of failing health.

The funeral will take place Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, from the residence of Dr. Collins, on Mulberry st.
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Information from Death Certificate:
Age 60 years
Nativity - Pennsylvania
Male - White - Married
Cause of death: Atrophy of gastric tubules
Duration - 9 months
Wm. A. Collins, M.D.
Died at Mulberry St.
C. Vail, Undertaker
Burial Permit issued to W. A. Collins