William “Bill” Richard Atkinson, age 82, of Albany passed away on Friday, October 28, 2022 at SSM Health- Monroe Hospital. He was born the son of Dale and Louise (Schulz) Atkinson, Sr. on June 24, 1940 in Monroe. He was a 1958 graduate of Albany High School. Bill was united in marriage to Holly Jacobs on February 27, 1960 at the Albany United Methodist Parsonage.
Bill farmed on his family’s farm his entire life; he was proud to be the 5th generation to run the farm. The land he worked has been in the Atkinson family since 1847. The Atkinson family was honored as a Sesquicentennial Farm; which they have now surpassed the 150 years.
Bill was also an active member of AMPI and was on the Board for Midland. He was also a longtime member of Albany United Methodist Church. He was an avid bowler and golfer.
Bill lived his life a loving, caring husband, father, and friend; he never had a bad word for anyone and was never too busy to help. He was a dedicated farmer, but also took time to enjoy a vacation. He and Holly traveled with friends in the winter and took the kids somewhere in the summer. He will be greatly missed.
Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years, Holly of Albany; children, William (Julie) Atkinson, Jr. of Jacksonville, FL, Laura Atkinson of Rockford, and Chad Atkinson of Madison; grandchildren, McKenzie (Josh) Matt, Hannah (Nick) Johnson, Janessa and Hope Atkinson; great-grandchildren, Loki, Viola, Justice, Julian, Jiraiya, and Jubillee; siblings, Albert (Phyllis) Atkinson of Brodhead, Edward (Diane) Atkinson of Verona, Minnie Atkinson of San Diego, CA, Robert Atkinson of Janesville, Ruth Ann (Glenn) Day of Brodhead, Dale (Mary) Atkinson, Jr. of Duck Creek, UT, and Kristine (Fred Moen) Atkinson of South Wayne; sisters-in-law, Genevieve Atkinson of Richland Center, Judy (Bob) Behl, Gloria Brown, Bonnie Graves, and Vicki Wiessinger; brothers-in-law, Delos (Carol) Jacobs and Dan (Penny) Jacobs; God-children, Jason Koebler, Glenn Day Jr., Tammi Day-Dibenedetto, and Susan Carlson-Hendrickson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jim Atkinson; sister-in-law, Judy Atkinson; and brothers-in-law, Dale Graves, Greg Wiessinger, and David Brown.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, November 6, 2022 at Albany United Methodist Church with Pastor Thomas Moe officiating. Burial will follow service in Hillcrest Cemetery in Albany.
Visitation will be held from 12:30 PM until the time of service on Sunday at the church. Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.
