William (Bill) Arthur Atkinson, Jr, age 87, passed away on December 9th, 2022 in LaPlata, MD. He was born on October 27th, 1935 in Methuen, Massachusetts to Edith Mae and William Arthur Atkinson Sr. Bill graduated from NC State in chemical engineering in 1957. He married his high school sweetheart, Audrey, on June 22, 1958 and they moved to Parkside, Pennsylvania where he began working for Sun Oil Company. They moved to Thornton, Pa where they raised their family. Bill had a very successful career at Sun Oil starting in the refinery and moving up through the company to VP of Sales and Marketing in the international sales division. He retired in 1990.

After retirement, Bill and Audrey moved to Edgewater Landings in Florida where he enjoyed the sunny weather and the close community. Bill will be remembered for his ability to fill up a room with his laughter, importance of his friends, bridge and bocce tournaments, frequent stints as MC, his rendition of Professor Harold Hill, and so much more

Bill’s passions were his family, friends and faith with a healthy dose of adventure. Camping, sailing, boating, hiking, fishing, games and annual family vacations at Lake Wallenpaupack were a staple. He was active in his children's activities whether Girl Scouts, Indian Guides,Indian Princesses and or attending their gym meets, concerts, games, and plays. His family was his joy and always challenged those he loved to be their best selves.  He and Audrey also traveled extensively seeing all 50 states and many countries on four continents. On a trip to China, Bill fell on the Great Wall resulting in a brain injury from which he miraculously recovered.

Faith was his foundation. Bill knew Jesus as more than religion and was quick to seek people to share and pray with. His ministry extended to anyone he met. He was very active in Evangelism Explosion and Faith Alive ministries, Marriage Encounter, Stevens Ministry and in his local church serving on vestries, as Rector's Warden, deacon, Sunday School and Bible study teacher.

Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Audrey Jean, his four children, Lauri S. Jones (Robert), Cheryl J. Meservey (George), Peter W. Atkinson (Jen), and Nancy J. Bordick (Andy), his grandchildren: Eric (Sammi), Brian (Keyla Dalee), Anna, Amy, Danny, Jamien, Caleb, Joshua (Cassidy), Guo Yuan (Thomas), Peter, Alyssa (Eddie), Nicole, Nicolas, Alexandra, Calvin, Jack, Zoe, Kendra, and six great grandchildren: Caroline, Daphne, Moses, Elio, Lachlan, and Ayla.

A Celebration Service will be held at First Baptist Church of Waldorf on December 30th at 11:00.  The service will be webcast and can be accessed by clicking view online at https://fbcwaldorf.org/   

Or by copying and pasting this link into your browser:

https://fbcwaldorf.sermon.net…

Burial will be in Birmingham, PA at a later date. Flowers can be sent to Audrey at Harmony, 11239 Berry Road, Waldorf, MD 20603. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the youth ministry at First Baptist Church of Waldorf, 10045 Bunker Hill Road, Waldorf, MD 20603 or the website above. 

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/william-atkinson/obituary/

Copy