- Date Of Birth: January 24, 1935
- Date Of Death: September 30, 2022
- State: Mississippi
William Collins Rhinehart, age 87, went to be with his Lord and Savior September 30, 2022 at Merit Health River Region Hospital. He was born on January 24, 1935 at home, in Charlieville community near Mangham, LA to his parents Lee Rhinehart and Rosa Emmie Shepherd Rhinehart.
Collins worked on the farm with his dad. He served in the Louisiana National Guard. He attended Calvary Baptist Church, Charlieville, where he served as Music Director and Youth Leader.
Collins Worked in vendor sales before beginning his employment with International Paper. He worked at the Louisiana Mill and Bastrop Mill. In 1967, he moved his family to Vicksburg, MS as part of the start up crew for the Vicksburg International Paper Mill. He was known as “Big R”,”R”, and “WC”, and “Rhinehart” at the mill. He retired in 1994.
Collins was a member of Oakland Baptist Church, serving as an active Deacon until his death. He was a faithful member in attendance sitting on the 4th row on the left side. He loved his church family and loved to fellowship until his declining health issues.
An avid hunter, Collins was a former member of Rocky Bayou Hunting Club. He loved to fish and hunt and talk about both sports. Collins loved his LSU TIGERS and when LSU was playing he was glued to the television. He took pride in his yard and garden.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Charlie Rhinehart, Frank Rhinehart, Ray Rhinehart and Richard Rhinehart and sisters Bette Curry, Rosie Kemper, Lucy Thigpen and Sadie Phillips, and two nephews Emmett Lee Curry and James “Buddy” Rhinehart.
Collins is survived by his wife Barbara and daughter Virginia Rhinehart of Vicksburg and daughter Ellen Siler and her husband Doug of Conway, AR who he loved as his own son. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who he kept in contact with and loved very much.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Lindsey Theobald of Care Well Home Health. Lindsey took such great care of daddy, and she showed such love and concern for her “little man.” The family wishes to thank the Staff Nurse Bridgette Jones, at River Region ER, who showed great care and compassion for him and Virginia as she was there during the last hours.
