Obituaries:  Ashton B. Collier, 1972, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From:  November 28, 1973 Winn Parish Enterprise-News American

Ashton Collier, Former House Member, Dies

Ashton Collier, who served as Winn Parish state representative and tax assessor,
died at 12:45 a.m. Thursday, November 22.  He was 63 and had retired from public
service.

Collier was first elected to the state house on February 23, 1956 in a second
primary showdown to unseat the late Rep. J. Mont Breedlove, 3,157 to 3,075 votes.

He served during the 1956-60 term of Gov. Earl K. Long and was one of the men who
maintained a close working relationship with the governor's office.

He ran for sheriff in 1960 but was defeated, and he came back in 1964 to win a
first primary victory in the state house.  His vote was 4, 157, nearly four times
his closest opponent.

When the November election came in 1967, Winn and LaSalle had been molded into
a new representative district that brought LaSalle Parish Rep. Sam Wilbanks and
Collier in a head-on campaign.  Collier won 6,958 to 4,253 in the first primary.

He was serving in that capacity when he was appointed Winn Parish Tax Assessor
on June 11, 1970, to fill the unexpired term of the late John Bell.  That term
ended on December 3, 1970 and assessor Harper Terrill took office.  

Collier continued personal and business activity until the last year or so when
he underwent brain surgery.

He had been in critical condition in the Winnfield General Hospital for some time
before his death.

Collier was a member of the Atlanta Baptist Church and he had served as a
trustee.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ida J. Collier of Atlanta, a son, Dr. L. R.
Collier, Winnfield, and brother, A. J. Collier, Crowville and two grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Friday, November 23, at 2 p.m. in the Atlanta Baptist
Church with the Rev. Ray Teal, church pastor, and the Rev. Dell Durrand, Jr.,
officiating.  Burial was in the Atlanta Cemetery under direction of Southern
Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were W. A. Gresham, Ross Wallace, Tritos Ferguson, Ed Collins, Jr.,
Leon Hanson, and C. E. LeBarron.