NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State basketball great Bill Collinsworth, a member of the university's Graduate N Club Hall of Fame for his outstanding career with the Demons from 1951-55, was laid to rest Tuesday near his hometown of Bryceland in Bienville Parish.

Collinsworth was enshrined in 1985 for his exploits playing under Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame member Charles “Red” Thomas, then the Demons' head coach. Northwestern won back-to-back Gulf States Conference championships in his junior and senior seasons, going 23-9 in 1953-54 and 20-9 in Collinsworth's senior season.

The three-time All-GSC performer ranks 12^th in school history with 1,352 career points in 121 games, an 11.2 average. He was the Demons' career scoring leader at the end of his playing days, after scoring 22 points per game and winning GSC Most Valuable Player honors as a senior.

Collinsworth won a total of seven varsity letters in basketball and track and field for the Demons. He long jumped 22 feet, 10 inches for Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame coach Walter Ledet on the NSC track team and contributed to three straight conference championships.

He passed away July 21 at the age of 79 following a lengthy illness. He was an educator, coach, head master, principal and superintendent of schools during a career in Bienville, Red River and Webster parishes. He was also a farmer.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Frances Blewer Collinsworth; three sons, Brad Collinsworth and wife Stacey of Bryceland, Brian Collinsworth and Frank of Foley, Ala., and Billy Collinsworth of Bryceland; two daughters, Cindy Rae Sprute and husband, Samuel of Doyline and Gaye Taunton and husband, Bert of Ferriday; sister, Margaret Ussery of Arcadia; brother, Jack Collinsworth and wife, Roxie of Grambling; eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends.