Collins retires after 3 decades at Index-Journal

GREENWOOD, S.C. (AP) — Editorial page editor William A. Collins is retiring after more than three decades at The Index-Journal of Greenwood.

Colleagues celebrated Collins’ career during a gathering Thursday. His last day is Friday.

The 78-year-old Collins is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and former member of the U.S. Army’s Airborne Rangers who served during the Korean War.

Before coming to the Index-Journal, Collins worked as a reporter and editor at several papers including the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch. He received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, in 2006.

Publisher Judith M. Burns says Collins will be named the first editor emeritus in the paper’s history. His name will continue to appear on the paper’s masthead during his lifetime.