Western News, Tuesday, June 5, 2012, Libby, MT
Edward “Eddie” Leroy Atchley, 78, of Libby passed away April 30, 2012.
He fought a courageous battle with cancer and endured bravely to the end. Ed was born Jan. 23, 1934, in Ashton, Idaho. His parents were John and Laura Atchley, he was the 13th of 14 children in his family. Ed attended school in Ashton. When he turned 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, along with several of his high school buddies. Ed served in the Korean War and returned home with Honorable Stars. Ed was very proud to have served for his country. After his discharge from the Navy, he married Gail Carpenter and had one son, Byron who died shortly after birth. They later divorced. Ed married Joyce Briggs and in 1962 moved to Libby. Ed went to work at J. Neils Lumber Co. Together they had one son Michael and raised Joyce’s four children. After 18 years together Ed and Joyce divorced. Ed moved to Idaho and worked on the American Falls Dam as a foreman where he met Hazel Call his wife of 33 years. Ed and Hazel were married July 14, 1978, in Idaho, and she, for many years, faithfully and patiently took care of Ed throughout his long illness. After returning to Libby, Ed and Hazel set up house on a nice parcel of land outside of town. At the age of 66, Ed went back to school and received his degree in Applied Science (Business Management). Ed loved knowledge and enjoyed reading every kind of book he could get his hands on. Ed enjoyed anything to do with the outdoors, his passions leaned toward panning gold, hunting, fishing and picking huckleberries and mushrooms.

Ed is survived by his loving wife, Hazel; son, Michael and his four children, Kaylee, Amber, Brett and Cierra and two great- grandsons, Orion and Kody; his sister Erna Lee (Jack) Pinney; seven step-children and their families. Hazel would like to thank all the physicians, nurses and close friends, who helped in Ed’s time of need. “God Bless.”