William Joel Collier

William Joel Collier, better known as “Billy,” burst into the world on December 16, 1964, in Long Beach, CA, to his parents, Romaine and William M. Collier. At the time, no one knew it would be possible to touch so many lives in such a short period of time. Billy passed away at the young age of 54 on November 2, 2019, from cancer, in Irvine, CA.

From a young age, Billy was a force to be reckoned with. Alongside three older sisters, Billy grew up in Long Beach, CA with a very tight-knit family. The family is so tight-knit that none of Romaine and Williams’ kids ever left Long Beach. With all of the family so close, they were lucky enough to have Billy at every important celebration and holiday in their lives.

Billy graduated from Lakewood High School in 1983. Starting at the age of 18, at what was then UnoCal, Billy started working in the Oil Refineries. He then completed his EMT training at UCLA and eventually became a Fire Captain. He worked as a Fire Captain all the way up until his death at what is now Phillips 66. Billy worked in the Refinery for a total of almost 37 years. He truly enjoyed his job, however, as everyone knew, he hated the hours. Aside from work, Billy enjoyed jeep treks with his friends, Jimmy Buffet, rebuilding old cars, welding, taking out his boat known as the Pink Elephant, almost anything Hawaiian or tropical, his dog, Delaney, and most of all, spending time with his friends.

Billy commanded the attention of any room he entered. With his big stature and equally big personality, people were always drawn to wherever he was. Billy was someone who developed and nurtured many friendships throughout his life. It was evident that he could make friends with just about anyone as he even developed a friendship with his roommate in the hospital before he passed. He considered his friends to be a part of his family and maintained life-long friends that he kept from every time in his life, even childhood.

Billy is survived by his mother (Romaine Collier), three older sisters (Dani Collier, Nancy Hamada, Sandra Pitcher), two brothers-in-law (Parry Hamada, Kenji Pitcher), one nephew (Tristin Pitcher), one niece (Sage Pitcher), girlfriend (Shayna Stiles), and many, many friends.

It is truly a gift to be able to reach out and touch so many souls in such a short life. Many hearts are broken with the news of his passing and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401