BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—After over 56 years of providing vision services Dr. Wayne Collier is retiring at the end of this year. Dr. Collier graduated from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 1965. He joined the US Air Force and immediately began using his optometry skills and knowledge by providing vision services to military members first in Texas and then in Viet Nam and Thailand during the Viet Nam war. After three years in the service Dr. Collier returned home and opened his first practice in downtown Bucyrus on February 2, 1969. That facility was located on South Sandusky Street on the corner across from the current Wendy’s location. In 1974 he moved his practice, Eyecare Optics, to 905 South Poplar Street where at age 83, he continues to provide vision services today.
In 2015 Dr. Collier started preparing for retirement by selling his practice to Drs. Matt Axline and Greg
Ferrell of Premier Optometry Group a long-time practice in Marion. Dr. Collier said he was incredibly pleased that Premier Optometry was interested in Eyecare Optics because they had been so well received in Marion and they had the same philosophy he had over his many years of staying up with or ahead of the latest technology to provide patients with the best vision care and products possible. He said the other major factor was Premier also provided the best care in the same friendly, professional manner as Eyecare Optics.
Dr. Collier said one thing that made his 56 years so enjoyable was working with his staff. “I would not have been as successful as we have been without the faith and trust the staff built with patients and the
devoted help they gave me, and I thank them immensely,” said Dr. Collier. The staff members that currently support Dr. Collier have over 80 years together collectively.
Dr. Collier is not only noted for his optometry service to his patients he has been recognized several times for his community service to Bucyrus and the surrounding area. He was named the Chamber of Commerce “Citizen of the Year” in 2015. It was noted then that he has continuously collaborated with the Lions Club to provide low cost and sometimes no cost optometry services to needy local individuals
and families. Over the years he has also been supportive of young people by being a buyer at the Crawford County Junior Fair Livestock Auction. His community support did not end at the Bucyrus area limits. He also volunteered to participate in missions providing optometry services to and helped establish eye clinics in numerous third world countries.
Dr. Collier said he will miss seeing and talking with patients and staff but is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Chris and their family. He said he will also enjoy having more time to work with his voluminous varieties of lilies and his other flower and vegetable gardens.