George Collier

George Collier

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- George Lamar Collier, 82, of Montgomery, formerly of Elba, Ala., departed this life Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, at Jackson Hospital in Montgomery.

He was born on July 5, 1926, in Elba, son of George E. Collier and Rena Mae Wilson.

In 1952 he married Mary Florence Poncy, who preceded him in death Dec. 18, 2005, after 53 years of marriage.

He was a graduate of Auburn University and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was employed at Dorsey Trailers in 1949 and served as president from 1959 until his retirement in 1987. He was president of the Truck-Trailers Manufacturers Association, vice president of Constar International, and a board member of Alabama Trucking Association and the Elba Exchange Bank. He was a member of the Montgomery First Baptist Church and Poundstone Sunday school class.

Survivors include a daughter, Mary (Bruce) Mims of Cape Girardeau; three sons, George Clive (Lori) Collier of Minden, La., Samuel Claude (Jackie) Collier of Kennesaw, Ga., and John Brock (Beth) Collier of Troy, Ala.; four granddaughters, Holley (George) Aplin of Millstadt, Ill., Caroline (Justine) Roy of Monroe, La., Katherine Collier and Elizabeth Collier, both of Kennesaw; four grandsons, Schuyler Collier and Seth Collier, both of Minden; Brock Collier and Sam Collier, both of Troy; a great grandson, Jerry Collier Aplin of Millstadt; a great granddaughter, Bree Anne Aplin of Millstadt.; and a brother, Sam Collier of Birmingham, Ala.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Hayes Funeral Home in Elba.

Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Evergreen Cemetery of Elba, with the Rev. Mart Gray officiating. Pallbearers are George Clive Collier, Samuel Claude Collier, John Brock Collier, Bruce Wendell Mims, George Drummond Aplin, Schuyler Logan Collier, Seth Harris Collier, William Brock Collier and Sam Hixon Collier.

The Collier family request that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to The Caring Center, First Baptist Church of Montgomery, 305 S. Perry St., Montgomery, AL 36104.