William Thomas Collins III (Bill) of Trumbull, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026, at Danbury Regional Hospice with his loving family by his side.

Bill was born on June 24, 1942, in New York City, the eldest of Rosemary and William Collins' nine children. A proud graduate of the College of the Holy Cross Class of 1963, Bill carried the Collins family's deep connection to the College throughout his life, following his father, William Thomas Collins II '38, and preceding his brothers Edward '68 and Michael '72. Bill proudly served in the United States Army at Fort Dix during the Vietnam era.

After graduating from the University of Virginia Law School Class of 1966, Bill built a distinguished career as a corporate attorney, starting at Shearman & Sterling, then the largest law firm in the country. His professional achievements included managing the legal complexities of large-scale multinational corporate mergers and acquisitions. He moved to other prominent New York City-based law firms including Webster & Sheffield and Thacher Proffitt & Wood. In 1996, he joined Stamford Capital Group and eventually EQ Corporation to finish his career closer to home, working in the field of private equity.

In retirement, Bill continued to practice law on a pro bono basis and found his paradise in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, where he spent his days on the golf course and at the beach alongside his beloved wife, Lynn. One passion of Bill’s was serving on the board of the Corolla Civic Association, where he dedicated his time to conservation and community enrichment. More recently, he and Lynn moved back to Connecticut to spend quality time with their children and grandchildren.

Yet for all his professional accomplishments, it was the family he built that defined him most and will be his lasting legacy. He relished his role as the patriarch of the Collins Clan, the highlight being the family reunions that brought together 70+ extended family members from around the country. He will be remembered for his infectious smile, his gift for storytelling, and his ability to light up any room with joy and laughter.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn Collins; his siblings Edward Collins (Pamela Ward), Catherine Collins Emmanuel (John), Carolyn Collins Kostiw (Michael), Michael Collins (Sandra), and Tracy Collins Williams (David); his children Elizabeth Collins (Yuri Reinberg), William Collins, Jennifer Collins McCann (Daniel), and Ryan Collins; and his eleven grandchildren: William Musolf, Brian Musolf, Colin McCann, Hunter Collins, Benjamin Reinberg, Coralee McCann, Elijah Reinberg, Waylon Collins, Michaela Collins, Sarah McCann, and Audrey Collins.

Bill was preceded in death by his brothers Neil Collins (Kathryn McLoughlin) and Patrick Collins, his sister Rosemary Weiss (Terry), and his son Christopher Collins (Adrianna).

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Bill’s life on Friday, March 6 with a funeral mass at St. Augustine’s Church in Larchmont, NY at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Danbury Regional Hospice at 30 Milestone Road, Danbury, CT 06810 or online at regionalhospicect.org.

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