05/26/2026
Educator, coach, mentor, friend
In memory of William "Bill" Collar.
William Elmer Collar, 82, of Seymour passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 25, 2026 at home. Bill was born to Elmer and Mary Collar in Menasha on August 4, 1943. The family moved to Hortonville when he was five years old where he graduated from high school in 1961. He lettered in football, wrestling and baseball. In 1966 Bill graduated from UW-La Crosse with a B.S. Degree majoring in Social Studies with a minor in Physical Education. He started at offensive tackle for four years and captained the football team his senior year when he was named first team all-conference.
On June 11, 1966 Bill married his college sweetheart Holly Havill. They both taught at Antigo Junior High for two years where Bill was assistant to legendary football coach, Gordy Schofield. After earning his M.S. Degree from La Crosse, Bill returned to his alma mater as assistant director of housing from 1968 to 1971. While at UW-La Crosse, Bill was head freshman football coach one year and varsity offensive line coach for two years under the direction of National College Hall of Fame Coach Roger Harring. Bill returned to La Crosse every summer for 25 years as director of a football lineman's camp.
In 1972, the Collars moved to Seymour where Bill taught history and was head football coach and assistant track coach for 29 years. During his tenure in Seymour, Bill took great pride in his teaching; he was nominated by his students and recognized as Wisconsin Social Studies Teacher of the Year in 1977 and State Teacher of the Year in 1989. With the help of dedicated assistants, Bill pumped life into a struggling football program winning several Bay Conference Championships, a state championship in 1985 and a state runner-up in 1991. He also coached several individual state champions and numerous state place winners in the shot put and discus. An innovative coach, Bill was one of the first in the state to implement a weightlifting program to supplement sports. His contribution to high school sports was recognized by being inducted into the WFCA Hall of Fame in 2000 and the National Coaches Hall of Fame in 2005.
After retiring from teaching in 2001, Bill expanded his "All The Way With PMA!" speaking business giving as many as forty presentations a year at banquets, conferences, workshops and teacher in-service programs. He authored two books, "Exceeding the Standards: Teaching With Pride, Poise and Passion" and a youth character building book, "It's More Than A Game." He also edited a mentoring manual for the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association. Bill served as vice president of the Wisconsin Council of Social Studies, directed the Teacher World program, and was President of the WFCA.
Having a keen interest in local history, Bill was a charter member of the Seymour Community Historical Society serving as president for many years and spearheading a campaign to build a new community museum in 2012. He was honored as Seymour's Citizen of the Year in 2010.
Bill and Holly celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on June 11, 2025. Their spare time was spent traveling throughout the United States visiting historical sites and museums and attending and supporting their grandchildren in their activities.
Treasuring Bill's memory are his beloved wife Holly and daughters Susan (Brian) Brashaw of Duluth, Angela (Scott) VerVoort of Black Creek and Sarah VerVoort of Shiocton. Bill enjoyed many good times with his grandchildren: Cheyenne, Cole, Justin, Devin, James, Levi, and Hannah, and his first great grandchild, Waylon. Bill is also survived by his brothers Larry (Ann) Collar of Wisconsin Rapids, Rick Collar of Wisconsin Rapids, Randy (Pam) Collar of Wisconsin Dells, and former son-in-law Glen VerVoort of Shiocton. He was preceded in death by his brother Marty and parents Elmer and Mary (Reimer) Collar.
Bill often remarked, "I had a great life, a terrific wife, three exceptional daughters who are all teachers and grandchildren who have made me proud. What more can a person ask for?"
The family is planning a private memorial service. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Seymour Community Historical Society, PO Box 237, Seymour, WI 54165. Checks should be written to the "Seymour Community Historical Society".
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"Good, better, best, never let it rest, until your good gets better and your better gets best."
....And now he can rest.
