CWO4 Edward Fitzgerald Collier, age, 52, passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends on March 23rd 2017. Edward is survived by his wife of 22 years Gwendolyn, daughters Daisha, and Sash-sha; Step children Daisi-Mae and Dereck-Henry and granddaughter Leila, his mother Margaret Mallett, his grandmother Ella Mimms, and his siblings; Kenneth(Andrea) Woods of Indianapolis, IN., Terrance Collier of Anderson, IN., Tania (Albert) Robinson of Anderson, IN. and Britt Mallett of Anderson, IN. and his cousin Jewel Moses of Youngstown, OH, as well as plenty of aunts, uncles and cousins. Edward was preceded in death by his father Willie Collier, great grandparents Kit and Betsy George, his cousins Felesha and Curtis Moses and Aunt Betsy Dixon. Edward retired from the Marine Corps on 25 June 2010. He was an avid sports fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Braves, and University of Alabama Crimson Tide ( Roll Tide!) which lead to his daughter Sash-Sha attending his favorite college in Alabama.
CWO4 Collier was born in Anderson, IN in 1964. He attended Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery, AL graduating in 1982. In July 1982 he enlisted and entered Marine Corps recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina and graduated from Platoon 2063, Fox Company, 2nd RTBN.
After completing boot camp at Parris Island SC., CWO4 Collier received orders to the Naval Air Warfare Center, Lakehurst, NJ where he received training as an Expeditionary Airfield Specialist (MOS 7011). In December 1982 he was transferred to Marine Air Base Squadron 24/MWSS-173, MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HI. In 1986 he left the Marine Corps and joined the Police Department in Montgomery County, Alabama but returned in 1988 where he received orders to MWSS-273, MCAS Beaufort, SC; in April 1990 he reported to Drill Instructor School MCRD Parris Island where he completed a successful tour as a Drill Instructor.
In July 1992, he returned to MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HI as a part of MWSS-174, upon the decommissioning of that unit CWO4 Collier was transferred to MWSS-371, MCAS Yuma, AZ where he was subsequently selected for Warrant Officer in 1997. After successful completion of the Warrant Officer Basic Course attaining the MOS of 7002, he then attended Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting school, and was reassigned to HQ MWSG-17. He returned to the Continental United States in July 2002 as the NAVAIRSYSCOM Marine Liaison Officer, Naval Air Warfare Center, Lakehurst, NJ. In July 2006 he was transferred to the Expeditionary Airfield/Fire and Emergency Services Officer, HQMC, Pentagon Aviation Support Logistics ASL/APX. He retired from the Marine Corps and was hired by Sabre Systems Located in Pennsylvania as a Contractor .
CWO4 Collier’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star, Good Conduct Medal with bronze star, National Defense Medal with bronze star, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with four bronze star, Arctic Service ribbon, Drill Instructor Ribbon and multiple unit awards.
In Lieu of flowers please donate to: https://semperfifund.org/donate/
Please make donations towards purchasing an Alabama brick for the Collier Family
Recent Stories
Icy Conditions Possible Wednesday Night – A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Prince William County from 9 p.m. Wednesday to Noon Thursday, with freezing rain and sleet expected. VDOT crews are treating roads, but travel may be hazardous. Limit travel, prepare for icy spots, and stay updated on changing conditions.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted Tuesday to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass Project, ending years of planning and millions of dollars in studies and design work. The decision, which passed with a 5-3 vote, came after a contentious debate over the feasibility and cost of the project.
Initially estimated to cost more than $200 million, the road would have connected with Route 28 at a signalized intersection north of Bull Run Stream in Fairfax County. The plan to build the road, Alternative 2B, was the top recommendation from the 2017 Route 28 Corridor Feasibility Study. The project had received $89 million in funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) as part of a broader effort to improve the county’s transportation infrastructure.
County transportation director Rick Canizales confirmed that the estimated cost had grown beyond available funding, requiring an additional $80–$100 million to proceed. “After taking all this into consideration and doing all the design work that we’ve done at this point, we come to the board and let you know that as staff, we believe that alternative 2B is not viable because we don’t have enough money and we don’t have enough support in some of the challenges we’re facing,” Canizales said.
For the first time, Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis Younger sat down for an exclusive interview with Potomac Local News as she begins her second term. In a candid conversation, she addressed the city’s stance on immigration enforcement, the future of development in downtown Manassas, the impact of state and federal funding cuts, and her vision for the next four years.
What’s next for Manassas? Will taxes go up? How will the city navigate potential financial challenges? And what’s her take on the now-canceled Route 28 Bypass project?
Get the full story in tomorrow’s edition—only on Potomac Local News. Stay tuned!
Plus: Don’t forget to fill out our quick survey. We’ve got up to 64 survey responses so far. Please help us get to 75. Please help us serve you better, and thank you.
The Northern Virginia real estate market is shifting, with demand growing in Prince William, Stafford, Manassas, and Fredericksburg, outpacing Fairfax County. Mark Worrilow, a real estate expert with Fathom Realty, attributes this to affordability, improved commuting options, and enhanced quality of life. Homebuyers find better value in these areas without sacrificing convenience. Inventory is rising, offering more options for buyers, though competition remains strong. Interest rates have stabilized, leading more buyers to enter the market. Worrilow emphasizes the importance of working with an experienced realtor to navigate these trends and make informed real estate decisions in this evolving market.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
