Chester Adolf Collier, Jr.

Chester Collier Jr., a resident of Bayou La Batre, AL, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, August 17th, 2025. He is preceded in death by his father, Chester Collier Sr., his mother Agnes Collier, his sister, Becky Harbison, his father-in-law Andy Jackson and mother-in-law Jean Jackson. He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Jean Collier, his daughters Tina (Eric) Collier, Lee Ann (Joe) Ward, and Megan Collier, his grandchildren, Tim (Erica) Kaiser, Travis Ward, Ben (Xavier) Kaiser, and Austin Ward, and his great grandchildren, Aaiden Rogers, Isabella Rogers, Lilliana Kaiser, Farrah Krout, and Aiden Kaiser, his sisters Fannie Sprinkle, Carolyn Steele, Janie Thompson, and Charlotte Hart, his brother and sister in-laws, nieces, nephews, and countless family and friends. Daddy was a man’s man, forged with grit, saltwater, and bluntness. He loved the sea and fishing more than any activity he undertook. And there were many. He shrimped the Gulf waters for over 25 years, sold insurance for 20 years, and retired from Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding at the tender age of 75. He loved his wife and daughters with a strength so absolute that he never would’ve had to voice it. His actions spoke it loud and clear and without question. No man worked harder to provide for his family. And no man loved a woman more than my daddy loved my mama. Two things resonate when thinking of my daddy, his love for the Lord and the Gulf waters. He raised his children to be God-fearing and strong, and taught us to be boldly honest and firm in our beliefs. He always said, “You never pray more than when you’re on a shrimp boat. God is who is keeping you afloat.” He saw more sunsets and sunrises in their full splendor than most people are afforded, and he never took the wonder of it for granted. Fishing was his passion, and he would’ve been in his bass boat every day if he were able. He could throw a cast net so smoothly, his motions resembled more of a dance than a chore, and his bounty was plentiful. Daddy said not to mourn those who go ahead of us. After all, we are now only one breath away from being together again. In writing this I pray the veil between those breaths is thin enough that our love is felt from Heaven to Earth, and that he will afford me the chance to see him cast that line in Glory’s mighty river on clear days. We are blessed and haunted by waters. Thank you, Daddy. You taught us well and loved us even better. And we love you more. Visitation for the family will be at 10:00 AM on Thursday, August 21st, at First Baptist Church in Bayou La Batre, 13500 Wintzell Ave. Visitation for friends will begin at 11:00 AM and the services will begin at noon. He will be laid to rest in Oddfellows cemetery immediately following the services.

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Chester Adolf Collier, Jr.

June 11, 1947 - August 17, 2025