Elizabeth "Betty" Jean Stancil Collins

• Born June 17, 1928 San Mateo, CA
• Died Aug. 10, 2007 Placerville, CA
• Buried in Georgetown Pioneer Cemetery
• Married Kenneth Wesley Collins on May 24, 1947, in Placerville, CA

Betty was born June 17, 1928, and died Aug. 10, 2007. She married Kenneth Wesley Collins on May 24, 1947, in Placerville, CA.
Betty's children with Kenneth Collins
Craig Samuel Stancil Collins
Debra “Debby” Christine Collins Stevenot
Brett Wesley Collins

Kenneth Wesley Collins and Elizabeth “Betty” Jean Stancil's lives intertwined in Placerville, California, creating a lasting legacy rooted in family, community involvement, and a shared zest for adventure.

Betty's early life was marked by the tragic loss of her father, Harry Lester Stancil, in a fishing accident when she was just 7 years old.

Born on June 16, 1928, in San Mateo, California, to Eleanor Christine "Laura" Eyler Sayer Stancil Bishop and Harry Lester Stancil, Betty grew up in Placerville and graduated from El Dorado High School in 1946.

Before marrying, she worked at Robinson's Drug Store and Florence's Dress Shop, establishing connections within her community. Lake Tahoe held a special significance for Betty, where she worked during the summers as a teenager and later enjoyed returning with her own family.

Kenneth, born on September 6, 1924, in El Dorado County to Clarence Samuel Collins and Gladys Marie Fisher, spent his formative years in the same region. He attended a local two-room schoolhouse and worked on his grandfather's ranch. After graduating from El Dorado High School, where he excelled in baseball and football, Ken served in the Navy during World War II from 1943 to 1945. His service took him to Idaho for aircraft engineering school, Sacramento as a firearms instructor, and eventually to a mobile hospital unit and air-sea rescue on Woendi Island near New Guinea.

Fate brought Ken and Betty together at a dance at Timberino Hall in Camino, where Betty resided.

Their connection blossomed, leading to their marriage on May 24, 1947, at the Federated Church in Placerville. Their honeymoon in Mexico City marked the beginning of their shared adventures.

Together, they raised three children: Craig Samuel Collins, Debby Christine Collins Stevenot, and Brett Wesley Collins.

In Placerville, Ken established himself as a prominent businessman and community figure. He opened Ken Collins Motors, a Buick dealership, on May 16, 1946, and later expanded his business ventures to include Jeep and Willys franchises, Dodge automobiles, a service station, and a Tahoe dealership featuring Pontiac, GMC, and Opel vehicles. His early business dealings were unique, as he sometimes accepted livestock and even gold coins as payment.

Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Ken was deeply committed to his community. He served as a volunteer firefighter, supported the El Dorado Junior County Fair for many years, offered transportation to polling places on Election Day, and contributed to organizations like the Children’s Home Society and the Marshall Hospital Foundation. He was also an active member of the Placerville Masonic Lodge #26, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, and served as a director of the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Georgetown Divide Rotary Club.

One of Ken's most significant contributions to the region was his role in establishing the Jeepers Jamboree in 1953. What started as an annual jeep trip through the Sierra Nevada to Lake Tahoe, planned with fellow Rotary Club members, grew into the world's largest four-wheel drive event of its kind. Ken's vision and dedication saw the Jamboree expand from 55 jeeps in its first year to a peak of 600, attracting participants from around the globe. He passed the torch of this legacy to his son Brett in 1992, and the Jeepers Jamboree continues to thrive. Ken also founded the El Dorado Jeep Herders in 1954, further fostering a community around his passion for off-roading.

Ken's family: Debby, Craig, Ken, Betty and Brett. Courtesy Stancil Reunion Archive

While Ken built his businesses and community involvement, Betty dedicated herself to motherhood and creating a warm and nurturing home. Her interests included sewing, music, art, and tennis. She also contributed to the community through volunteer work with the Scouts and as a Pink Lady at Marshall Hospital.

As their children grew, Ken and Betty embraced a shared love for travel and adventure. They explored six of the seven continents, creating lasting memories together. Memorable trips included visits to South Africa, Japan, Europe, South America, and Egypt, where they experienced the wonders of the Sphinx and Pyramids on camelback.

After selling Ken Collins Motors in 1977, Ken and Betty had more time to indulge their passion for travel. A remarkable adventure in 1978 saw Ken and 13 friends embark on a 20,000-mile jeep journey from the tip of Argentina to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, a five-month expedition that was documented by a film crew.

Betty passed away at her home in Placerville on August 10, 2007, at the age of 79, surrounded by her family after a long illness. Her life was a testament to her strength of character and the joy she found in raising her children and grandchildren, whom she considered her greatest legacy. She is buried in the Georgetown Pioneer Cemetery.

Ken continued to cherish their memories until his own passing on December 29, 2010, at the age of 86, after several years of declining health. He was laid to rest beside Betty in the Pioneer Cemetery in Georgetown. Ken's life was celebrated with a final "Jamboree" on January 23, 2011, in Placerville, a fitting tribute to a man who left an indelible mark on his community through his generosity, his pioneering spirit, and his deep appreciation for family and friends.

Niece Elisa shared this, “Uncle Ken was always warm, genuine, and reliable in every way. Plus, he was so darned handsome! The last time we visited at my house he gave me a wallet that had an imprint of the race horse Seabiscuit. Ken was a Buick dealer, and the owner of Seabisuit was too, and the owner presented some of the other dealers with these wallets back in the late 40's. Ken thought I would like it because we had horses...I love it! Debby gave me lots of shells from the trips where Ken and Betty collected shells, Debby said one time they shipped home shells and live lobsters in their checked luggage and the lobsters escaped and were crawling all over the baggage area!”

Son Craig shared this about his dad, “My entire life with my father was a ‘special memory’, and will be for the rest of my life. Probably the most cherished were times spent together mutually enjoying the outdoors hunting, fishing, camping etc., simple respites from the more demanding rigors of daily life. Nature was our ‘church’, and we attended as regularly as we could!”

Daughter Debby has wonderful memories of her parents. Christmas of 1962 was special when they surprised her with a beautiful Palomino horse, ‘Sunshine’. Father and daughter shared a special bond and a love of fishing. They particularly enjoyed catching native trout with just a bit of cheese on the hook.

Debby is grateful for the technical and life skills he taught her and the unwavering support of her goals.

He will be remembered by niece Elisa as being absolutely one of a kind and by son Craig as the one who taught him appreciation for nature. Daughter Debby believes his most enduring legacy is valuing family and friends.

Their combined lives created a rich tapestry of love, adventure, and community service that continues to be remembered by their children, grandchildren, and the many lives they touched.

Ken touched many lives and made them better. Ken will be remembered in Placerville for his unselfish love of and contributions in his community. When he saw a need he filled it.