William Edgar McCollum

William Edgar McCollum, 87, known by most as “Willie” or “Dampu,” lived a full and joyful life. While we were unable to fulfill his request of being propped up under a mesquite tree, he was blessed to pass peacefully into Heaven surrounded by his family in love at his home in Alice, Texas, on January 21, 2025. 

Willie was born in Groesbeck, Texas, on August 30, 1937, to William Alton and Elvia Katie McCollum before moving with his family to Agua Dulce and Alice.  After a long career in construction, including many years of service to B.G. Cornelius Construction and at the Gulf Plains Plant in Bishop, Texas, he retired gracefully, dedicating his time to his family, attending every event possible supporting his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and anyone whom he loved, along with watching, feeding, and caring for animals and birds at home.

Chances are, if you met him, you learned something from him. He was so many things to so many people that listing all of them would be an immense disservice to his impacts in this short life. He was a man of few words, yet not of few talents. He loved woodworking and could fix anything. Throughout his life, Dampu was honored for service in 4-H, Youth Rodeo, Jim Wells County Fair, Alice Swim Team, Alice Chamber of Commerce and Wonderland of Lights; enjoyed his Ford Model A car and serving the church with the Knights of Columbus; and was named Fireman of the Year in 1969.  He was a constant reminder of faithfulness, devotion, and love.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jerry McCollum. 

He is survived by a multitude of family and loved ones, including his wife of 63 years, JoEtta Richter McCollum; his children, William Bryan (Kim) McCollum and Ceci Elizabeth Vollmering; his sisters Betty (Earl) Cutler, Judy McCollum, and Clara McCollum; his grandchildren Alainya (Chad) Tomanec, Scott Vollmering, Travis Colton (Val) Vollmering, Reed (Sam) Vollmering, Mason (Sarah) Vollmering, Dolan (McKayla) Vollmering, Heston (Emma) Vollmering, Kairos (Marty) Powell, and Keegan McCollum; and the lights of his life, his great-grandchildren Avery and Brieley Tomanec, Paisley, Hollyn, and Hadlee Vollmering, and Jack Powell.

Family will be receiving friends on Monday, January 27, 2025  from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at Holmgreen Mortuary with Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Alice, Texas, at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, followed by Interment at Gussettville Cemetery in George West, Texas. Family and friends are invited to gather at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church for a meal following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Gussettville Cemetery Association are appreciated at https://www.gussettvillecemeteryassociation.com/ or you may contribute to a scholarship fund to be created in his honor: William E McCollum Memorial Scholarship, 3610 Lake Champagne, Robstown, Texas 78380. If neither of those are your thing, feel free to drop off a bag of corn for his deer and javelinas. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 East Main Street, Alice, Texas

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.holmgreenmortuaryinc.com and shared via Holmgreen Mortuary Facebook

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