On Aug. 8, 2024 Carlton Willis Collier passed away peacefully at home in the wonderful care of the great nurses of Vitas Hospice and of his loving wife.
Carl was born on Dec. 31, 1929 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia to Neil Franklin Collier and Cornie F. Collier. Carl was the youngest of five boys. His brothers were Ted Collier, Richard Collier, Ben Collier and Charles Collier. Carl and all of his brothers served in the U.S. military, either Army or Navy.
Carl is survived by his wife, Beryl Christine Collier, and five children: Carla Pope; Vernon Speck; Barbi Collier; Phillip Morris; Tinna Ostrom and a number of cherished nieces and nephews. Carl and Christine were married on April 2, 1983 in the Methodist Church, Aberdeen, Md. Carl first made the arrangements for April 1, but Chris wouldn’t get married on April Fools’ Day.
Carl was a Korean War survivor. He wrote many poems about his war experiences. He was a long-time member of the Korean War Veterans Association and participated in their Honor Guard Group. Carl and Chris traveled with the group to Turkey and to South Korea.
Carl was a lifetime member of the Moose and the VFW. He served as Post Commander of the Plymouth, Ind. VFW. He was a regular on the Plymouth American Legion Honor Guard, honoring those veterans who passed. Carl spent 25 years in the Maryland State Police. He had very interesting stories to tell of the early (rough and ready) days of the state police. He retired with the rank of Lt.
After retiring, Carl worked on Aberdeen Proving Ground, he bought a tractor trailer and drove from one end of the U.S.A. to the other. When he had enough of that, he and Chris took up ballroom dancing and met many wonderful friends from the Harford County and Baltimore groups.
Carl donated his body to the MedCure organization.