Paid Collection. Remove from my credit report.

Was married in 2001 and had a account with a utility company with both me and my wife's name on it. Separated in August of 2001 and moved out of the house. Divorce went final in July of 2003. Ex-wife moved out of the house we had in April of 2005 and left behind this utility bill unpaid. I learned about this account in October of this year and paid it off after it had been in collections. Now I am trying to get it removed from my credit report. I have disputed it with all 3 credit agencies and asked both original company to remove it (they accepted payment and it is paid), plus asked the collection agency to remove their report of this account. All parties refuse to remove this account and as you know it is a major hit on my credit rating at this time. Any suggestions on how to get it removed? Any help is greatly appreciated.
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you have done everything you can dp.
get and keep new good credit to overcome the past old bad credit