Sgt. Garland Collier, U. S. Army 101st Airborne Paratrooper and native son of Coleman County, was twenty-five years old when killed in action during World War II on October 5, 1944, in Holland (The Netherlands). His remains were only recently identified and accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. His remains were deemed non-recoverable for over seventy-eight years, but he will finally be returned home and laid to rest with his parents.
This Saturday, November 12, Sgt. Collier will be laid to rest at White Chapel Cemetery, in western Coleman County. The graveside service with full military honors will begin at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 12 at White Chapel Cemetery.
The public may pay respects by lining the route for the funeral procession on Saturday morning at 10:30 am. Everyone is welcome to bring your flags, stand beside the road along the route on Highway 153 going west out of Coleman and show your respect to and honor the family of the fallen soldier.
The family invites all Coleman County veterans to attend the service and the public is also welcome.
On Thursday, November 10 and Friday, November 11, 2022, the public is invited to view the closed flag-draped casket of Sgt. Garland Collier at Stevens Funeral Home from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. both days.