Rev. Joseph Edward Collier, Sr.

Rev. Joseph Edward “Billy Joe” Collier, 78, formerly of Evansville, IN, and later a resident of Indianapolis, IN, peacefully departed this life on May 17, 2025, at 4:00 a.m. in Indianapolis.

Rev. Collier accepted Christ at an early age at Memorial Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Hoover. He attended Lincoln High School, where he played football, and later transferred to Central High School, where he played basketball.

In 1993, Joseph was called to the ministry and became a minister at The Church Pathway Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis. His passion for sharing the Word led him to minister in prisons and nursing homes throughout the area.

Rev. Collier was also a hardworking man who held various jobs over the years. He worked at Sherwin-Williams Paint and held numerous construction jobs in Evansville. He was a skilled carpenter, a trade he practiced for many years.

On November 20, 1993, he was united in holy matrimony to Sharon Nichols-Collier. Together, they shared 32 years of love and partnership.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Collier, parents, Richard and Laura Collier, and his sisters, Helen Collier, Jackie Butler-Collier, Violet Collier, and Glenda Collier.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted wife, Sharon Collier; three sons, Rico Martin, Joseph Collier Jr., and Justin Collier, all of Indianapolis, and Jerald Mathis of Indianapolis. He is also survived by his brother, Melvin Collier of Owensboro, KY; and sisters Sarah Cartwright, Clara Collier, and Mary Ann Collier of Evansville, IN, Addie Darrett of Henderson, KY, and Linda (Ronald) Orr of Jonesboro, GA.

Rev. Collier will be fondly remembered by a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and classmates.