Leland was born on August 16, 1955, in Fort Belknap to Caroline Crazy and Huey Collins. He was raised in Hays by his grandparents Joseph and Mary (The Boy) Crazy, along with his mother and stepdad Lyle Beholden, attending school in Hays. In 1973, he obtained his GED at Job Corps, and later attended Northern Montana College, where he earned his Associate's Degree. Gus married Lora Hunt, and they had two children. The couple later divorced. In 2005, he met his current wife Elaine Chandler, and the couple has remained inseparable. Over the years, Gus worked in Fort Belknap, Hays, and all over Montana, and in Oklahoma as a laborer. He will always be remembered as a great storyteller.

He was preceded in death by his parents Caroline Crazy and Huey Collins; his stepdad Lyle Beholden; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Leland is survived by his wife Elaine Chandler of Havre; his children Erick and Meliska Collins of Miles City, MT; his sister Sylvia (Crazy) Eull of Verona, North Dakota, and Nicki Fortney of Billings; his adopted sister Elaine Healy of Havre; his nephew Terry Crazy of Great Falls; his niece Amoreena (Crazy) Lyons of Whitehall; and numerous cousins and other extended family and friends.