Col. William D. Atkins,
USAF, Ret.
Bill "Gonzo" Atkins slipped the surly bonds of earth Saturday, December 8, 2007.
Bill was an independent soul who dearly loved his family, his friends, his Air Force comrades, his country, and flying fighter airplanes. He was extremely proud that he went from being a private in the Marine Corps to being a colonel and a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. He was blessed with an iron will, a priceless sense of humor, a make-it-happen attitude. In October of 1938, his parents, Bill and Delia Atkins, chose him and gave him their lifelong love.
Bill is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jo, who he said was the "wind beneath his wings"; his beloved daughter, Sherri Gonzales and her husband Victor; and his beloved daughter, Debbi Atkins. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Tony Gonzales, Erica Atkins, and Jesse Gonzales who lit up his life.
Bill spent 3 years in the Marine Corps achieving the rank of staff sergeant. He was in the Air Force for 22 years. His medals include Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, AF Achievement Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device with 1 oak leaf cluster, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon with 1 oak leaf cluster, AF Overseas Long Tour Ribbon with 3 oak leaf clusters, AF Longevity Service Award with 5 oak leaf clusters, Small Arm Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
While flying the T-37, the T-38, the T-33, the F-100, and the F-4, his jobs included Instructor Pilot, Flying Safety Officer for 3 squadrons and PACAF, 3rd TFS DO, 3rd TFW Chief of Stan Eval, 36th TFS Commander, 51st TFW Assistant DO, 5th AF Director of Fighter Ops, and HQ 12th AF Deputy IG. He was presented Chinese flying wings while in Taiwan.
Visitation will be on December 14, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. and funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. at Cook-Walden Funeral Home in Georgetown. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Bill's memory to the West Texas Boys Ranch, 10223 Boys Ranch Road, San Angelo, Texas 76904-9989. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at http://www.mem.com.
USAF, Ret.
Bill "Gonzo" Atkins slipped the surly bonds of earth Saturday, December 8, 2007.
Bill was an independent soul who dearly loved his family, his friends, his Air Force comrades, his country, and flying fighter airplanes. He was extremely proud that he went from being a private in the Marine Corps to being a colonel and a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. He was blessed with an iron will, a priceless sense of humor, a make-it-happen attitude. In October of 1938, his parents, Bill and Delia Atkins, chose him and gave him their lifelong love.
Bill is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jo, who he said was the "wind beneath his wings"; his beloved daughter, Sherri Gonzales and her husband Victor; and his beloved daughter, Debbi Atkins. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Tony Gonzales, Erica Atkins, and Jesse Gonzales who lit up his life.
Bill spent 3 years in the Marine Corps achieving the rank of staff sergeant. He was in the Air Force for 22 years. His medals include Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, AF Achievement Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device with 1 oak leaf cluster, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon with 1 oak leaf cluster, AF Overseas Long Tour Ribbon with 3 oak leaf clusters, AF Longevity Service Award with 5 oak leaf clusters, Small Arm Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
While flying the T-37, the T-38, the T-33, the F-100, and the F-4, his jobs included Instructor Pilot, Flying Safety Officer for 3 squadrons and PACAF, 3rd TFS DO, 3rd TFW Chief of Stan Eval, 36th TFS Commander, 51st TFW Assistant DO, 5th AF Director of Fighter Ops, and HQ 12th AF Deputy IG. He was presented Chinese flying wings while in Taiwan.
Visitation will be on December 14, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. and funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. at Cook-Walden Funeral Home in Georgetown. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Bill's memory to the West Texas Boys Ranch, 10223 Boys Ranch Road, San Angelo, Texas 76904-9989. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at http://www.mem.com.
Col. William D. Atkins,
USAF, Ret.
Bill "Gonzo" Atkins slipped the surly bonds of earth Saturday, December 8, 2007.
Bill was an independent soul who dearly loved his family, his friends, his Air Force comrades, his country, and flying fighter airplanes. He was extremely proud that he went from being a private in the Marine Corps to being a colonel and a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. He was blessed with an iron will, a priceless sense of humor, a make-it-happen attitude. In October of 1938, his parents, Bill and Delia Atkins, chose him and gave him their lifelong love.
Bill is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jo, who he said was the "wind beneath his wings"; his beloved daughter, Sherri Gonzales and her husband Victor; and his beloved daughter, Debbi Atkins. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Tony Gonzales, Erica Atkins, and Jesse Gonzales who lit up his life.
Bill spent 3 years in the Marine Corps achieving the rank of staff sergeant. He was in the Air Force for 22 years. His medals include Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, AF Achievement Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device with 1 oak leaf cluster, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon with 1 oak leaf cluster, AF Overseas Long Tour Ribbon with 3 oak leaf clusters, AF Longevity Service Award with 5 oak leaf clusters, Small Arm Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
While flying the T-37, the T-38, the T-33, the F-100, and the F-4, his jobs included Instructor Pilot, Flying Safety Officer for 3 squadrons and PACAF, 3rd TFS DO, 3rd TFW Chief of Stan Eval, 36th TFS Commander, 51st TFW Assistant DO, 5th AF Director of Fighter Ops, and HQ 12th AF Deputy IG. He was presented Chinese flying wings while in Taiwan.
Visitation will be on December 14, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. and funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. at Cook-Walden Funeral Home in Georgetown. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Bill's memory to the West Texas Boys Ranch, 10223 Boys Ranch Road, San Angelo, Texas 76904-9989. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at http://www.mem.com.
USAF, Ret.
Bill "Gonzo" Atkins slipped the surly bonds of earth Saturday, December 8, 2007.
Bill was an independent soul who dearly loved his family, his friends, his Air Force comrades, his country, and flying fighter airplanes. He was extremely proud that he went from being a private in the Marine Corps to being a colonel and a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. He was blessed with an iron will, a priceless sense of humor, a make-it-happen attitude. In October of 1938, his parents, Bill and Delia Atkins, chose him and gave him their lifelong love.
Bill is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jo, who he said was the "wind beneath his wings"; his beloved daughter, Sherri Gonzales and her husband Victor; and his beloved daughter, Debbi Atkins. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Tony Gonzales, Erica Atkins, and Jesse Gonzales who lit up his life.
Bill spent 3 years in the Marine Corps achieving the rank of staff sergeant. He was in the Air Force for 22 years. His medals include Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, AF Achievement Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device with 1 oak leaf cluster, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon with 1 oak leaf cluster, AF Overseas Long Tour Ribbon with 3 oak leaf clusters, AF Longevity Service Award with 5 oak leaf clusters, Small Arm Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
While flying the T-37, the T-38, the T-33, the F-100, and the F-4, his jobs included Instructor Pilot, Flying Safety Officer for 3 squadrons and PACAF, 3rd TFS DO, 3rd TFW Chief of Stan Eval, 36th TFS Commander, 51st TFW Assistant DO, 5th AF Director of Fighter Ops, and HQ 12th AF Deputy IG. He was presented Chinese flying wings while in Taiwan.
Visitation will be on December 14, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. and funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. at Cook-Walden Funeral Home in Georgetown. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Bill's memory to the West Texas Boys Ranch, 10223 Boys Ranch Road, San Angelo, Texas 76904-9989. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at http://www.mem.com.
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