Mr. Willie Perlow Atkins Jr of Springfield, 56, of 28 Columbia Terrace, formally of 57 Marlborough Street died on Wednesday at Mercy Hospital. He was retired from Daniel O'Connell & Sons Construction Co. (now Daniel O'Connell's Sons) of which he was a dedicated and respectable skilled laborer of 32 years and formerly a proud member of Local Union 999. 

He was one of the first Black construction workers ever employed by the firm in Western Massachusetts and was instrumental in the modern architectural landscape of Western Massachusetts including with the construction of notable landmarks such as the I-91 exchange, the William Edward Burghardt Du Bois Library at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Ma, Holyoke Mall, Springfield's Central High School, Hartford Civic Center, Chestnut Towers, Springfield Civil Center and his final project with the firm before retiring in 1990 Springfield's Monarch Place in Downtown Springfield Ma. 

Born in Columbia, S.C and raised and educated in Fairfax, SC as a child, he lived in the city of Springfield for 40 years. He was preceded by his parents Mr. Willie Perlow Atkins and Mrs. Sadie (Ash) Atkins and his sisters Mrs. Florie Barnett, Mrs. Earthen (Atkins) Holmes, Mrs. Marie Thomas and Mrs. Ethel Atkins. 

He was formerly married to Mrs. Doris Emma Burbee of Westfield for over 21 years and maintained a close and loving friendship with her until her death in March of 1991 and was the stepfather to her children from her previous marriage to Mr. Stanley Cebula; Mr. Robert Cebula, Mrs. Carol Tefts, Mrs. Kay Doris Bovat and Ms. Janet Mas. 

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 18 years, the former Mrs. Mildred (Feazell) Lawson and his beloved, graceful and elegant daughters Mrs. JoAnn (Atkins) Ross and Ms. Patrica Feazell both of Springfield Ma and his two sons Officer Reginald Feazell and Officer Dennis Lawson both of Springfield, Ma. He also leaves to cherish his memory his beloved brother Mujahid Mohammad of Springfield, Ma and five sisters, Ms. Dorothy Atkins, Ms. Willie Mae Atkins, Mrs. Bessie Mae Gonzalez, Mrs. Janey Lee Lowery all of Springfield, Ma and Mrs. Jerlean (Maryann Atkins) Silva of Oakland, CA and 12 grandchildren of the Atkins, Feazell and Lawson families including Mr. Vincent Lawerence Ross Jr, Mr. Douglas Anthony Ross and Mr. Anthony Horne Jr and several nieces and nephews including Ms. Michelle Atkins whom he loved as a daughter. The funeral was held private, with burial in Oak Grove Cemetery in Springfield, Ma. A public calling hour was set at Harrell Funeral Home. Memorial contributions were made to the American Cancer Society, 383 Dwight St., Holyoke, 01040 in his honor.

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