William James "Bill" Atkins, beloved husband and father, passed away on Saturday, July 23rd while vacationing in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Bill was born in Shreveport, Louisiana November 12, 1933. He attended Creswell Elementary and Byrd High School before transitioning to Sewanee Military Academy, where he grew to be a man.
Following his graduation from Sewanee, Bill enrolled in Tulane University, where the bright lights and vibrant energy of New Orleans were a welcome change from the remote mountains of Tennessee. While at Tulane, Bill studied Economics and was active in both the Delta Kappa Epsilon social fraternity and the Air Force ROTC program. Bill loved Tulane, DKE and the Air Force, and would support all three institutions with his time and talents throughout his life.
Upon graduating from Tulane, Bill received his commission in the US Air Force and proudly pinned on his Second Lieutenant bars. He underwent training as a Navigator, earned his wings, and was assigned to the 321st Fighter Interceptor Squadron where he flew in the F-89 Scorpion. These Cold War Warriors were trained to preemptively intercept and dispose of enemy strategic bombers before they could reach U.S. air space. The 321st was prepared to meet the enemy under any weather conditions, and this mission was reflected in the squadron motto, "Even When the Ducks are Walking!" After three years of active duty, Bill transferred into the inactive reserves, and thought that his Air Force career was complete. However, he was surprised when he unexpectedly received two letters from the U.S. Air Force in October of 1962 - the first promoting him to Captain, and the second informing him that he was being transferred into the active reserve. Fortunately, the Cuban Missile Crisis was soon defused, and Bill was able to retire from the service with the rank of captain.
While serving in the Air Force, Bill married his college sweetheart Ruth Knighton, and the couple maintained a loving relationship until the day of Bill's death. Following the Air Force, Ruth and Bill returned to their mutual hometown of Shreveport and began building a life together. Bill was active in many aspects of Shreveport's business and civic activities and became a leading member of the community.
Bill began his business career as a Managing Partner of Atco Investment Company, a family-owned investment company. Over his 50 plus year career, he provided financial support and business insights to many business ventures across a wide breath of industries, including Banking, Finance, Oil and Gas, Industrial Propellants, Agriculture, and numerous entrepreneurial ventures. He served on a number of corporate boards over his business career, including over 30 years with Aeropres Inc. and approximately 20 years with the Commercial National Bank. Through Bill's wise and conscientious leadership, Atco Investment Company grew steadily in both size and scope.
Bill viewed community service as part of his professional responsibility, and he has played a key role in numerous charitable and civic organizations. He is a Past President of the Committee of One Hundred, the Economic Development Foundation, the Southfield School Foundation, the Shreveport Gun Club and the Louisiana Trap Shooters Association. He is a Past Vice President of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, and he served as a Board Member for the Louisiana Association of Commerce and Industry, Southfield School, the Salvation Army, the Biomedical Research Foundation, and the Tulane Business School Council. Finally, in more recent years, he was instrumental in the formation of both the Centenary College Center for Family-Owned Business and the Centenary College Student Managed Investment Fund. In appreciation for his years of service, he was inducted into the Southfield School Hall of Fame and was named, along with his wife, as an Honorary Alumni of Centenary College.
Bill is survived by his lovely wife, Ruth, and his children, Alison Atkins Crowther, Susana Atkins McCarthy and husband Terry, William James Atkins, Jr. and John Edward Atkins and wife Lindsay. He will also be fondly remembered by his two grandchildren Juliette Louise Crowther and William John McCarthy. He will also be missed by many longtime friends, coworkers, and business associates.
A visitation service will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home on Thursday, July 28th from 5 to 7 PM, and a service will be conducted at First Methodist Church at 11 AM on Friday, July 29th. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Pat Beaird, Jim Haynes, Charlie Churchman, Aaron Selber, Donald Zadeck, Delton Harrison, Bubba Graham, Bill Crain, and Reverend Fred Patton.
The family would like to express gratitude to Dr. Anil Veluvolu and his staff at the Willis-Knighton Cancer Center. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial contributions be made to Southfield School, Centenary College, Tulane University, or the charity of your choice.
-------------------------------------------------
Bill Atkins, philanthropist, dies in Colorado
By John Andrew Prime
[email protected]
William J. "Bill" Atkins, Shreveport philanthropist, financier and money manager, died Saturday while summering with family members in Colorado Springs, Colo. He was 77.
"Bill was from a family that was so much a part of this community, (including) giving the original property to start Centenary College here," said longtime friend Delton Harrison. "They were very much involved in everything that was good. It's people like Bill Atkins that make the community a good community. His giving of money, of property , of time, all those things are important. He will certainly be missed."
Atkins was managing partner of Atco Investment Company and over the years led or was involved in fundraising or management of organizations ranging from the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and the Committee of 100 to the United Way and the Northwest Louisiana Development Center. He also was an active supporter of Centenary College, Southfield School and the Salvation Army.
In 1979, he was named the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce's first "Business Leader of the Year.".
He was a graduate of Sewanee Military Academy and Tulane University, where he earn his Bachelors Degree in Economics. He served three years in the U.S. Air Force in the 1950s.
He and his widow, the former Ruth Knighton, married in 1958 and were the parents of four children.
Atkins was a member of a family with deep ties to Shreveport business and history. His father, John B. Atkins, was an oil pioneer and chairman of the board of the Atlas Processing Company. He also was one of six Shreveport business and civic leaders killed in a January 1954 airplane crash on Wallace Lake just south of Shreveport. That crash altered the political and economic landscape of Shreveport for decades.
A memorial service has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church of Shreveport.
Bill was born in Shreveport, Louisiana November 12, 1933. He attended Creswell Elementary and Byrd High School before transitioning to Sewanee Military Academy, where he grew to be a man.
Following his graduation from Sewanee, Bill enrolled in Tulane University, where the bright lights and vibrant energy of New Orleans were a welcome change from the remote mountains of Tennessee. While at Tulane, Bill studied Economics and was active in both the Delta Kappa Epsilon social fraternity and the Air Force ROTC program. Bill loved Tulane, DKE and the Air Force, and would support all three institutions with his time and talents throughout his life.
Upon graduating from Tulane, Bill received his commission in the US Air Force and proudly pinned on his Second Lieutenant bars. He underwent training as a Navigator, earned his wings, and was assigned to the 321st Fighter Interceptor Squadron where he flew in the F-89 Scorpion. These Cold War Warriors were trained to preemptively intercept and dispose of enemy strategic bombers before they could reach U.S. air space. The 321st was prepared to meet the enemy under any weather conditions, and this mission was reflected in the squadron motto, "Even When the Ducks are Walking!" After three years of active duty, Bill transferred into the inactive reserves, and thought that his Air Force career was complete. However, he was surprised when he unexpectedly received two letters from the U.S. Air Force in October of 1962 - the first promoting him to Captain, and the second informing him that he was being transferred into the active reserve. Fortunately, the Cuban Missile Crisis was soon defused, and Bill was able to retire from the service with the rank of captain.
While serving in the Air Force, Bill married his college sweetheart Ruth Knighton, and the couple maintained a loving relationship until the day of Bill's death. Following the Air Force, Ruth and Bill returned to their mutual hometown of Shreveport and began building a life together. Bill was active in many aspects of Shreveport's business and civic activities and became a leading member of the community.
Bill began his business career as a Managing Partner of Atco Investment Company, a family-owned investment company. Over his 50 plus year career, he provided financial support and business insights to many business ventures across a wide breath of industries, including Banking, Finance, Oil and Gas, Industrial Propellants, Agriculture, and numerous entrepreneurial ventures. He served on a number of corporate boards over his business career, including over 30 years with Aeropres Inc. and approximately 20 years with the Commercial National Bank. Through Bill's wise and conscientious leadership, Atco Investment Company grew steadily in both size and scope.
Bill viewed community service as part of his professional responsibility, and he has played a key role in numerous charitable and civic organizations. He is a Past President of the Committee of One Hundred, the Economic Development Foundation, the Southfield School Foundation, the Shreveport Gun Club and the Louisiana Trap Shooters Association. He is a Past Vice President of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, and he served as a Board Member for the Louisiana Association of Commerce and Industry, Southfield School, the Salvation Army, the Biomedical Research Foundation, and the Tulane Business School Council. Finally, in more recent years, he was instrumental in the formation of both the Centenary College Center for Family-Owned Business and the Centenary College Student Managed Investment Fund. In appreciation for his years of service, he was inducted into the Southfield School Hall of Fame and was named, along with his wife, as an Honorary Alumni of Centenary College.
Bill is survived by his lovely wife, Ruth, and his children, Alison Atkins Crowther, Susana Atkins McCarthy and husband Terry, William James Atkins, Jr. and John Edward Atkins and wife Lindsay. He will also be fondly remembered by his two grandchildren Juliette Louise Crowther and William John McCarthy. He will also be missed by many longtime friends, coworkers, and business associates.
A visitation service will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home on Thursday, July 28th from 5 to 7 PM, and a service will be conducted at First Methodist Church at 11 AM on Friday, July 29th. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Pat Beaird, Jim Haynes, Charlie Churchman, Aaron Selber, Donald Zadeck, Delton Harrison, Bubba Graham, Bill Crain, and Reverend Fred Patton.
The family would like to express gratitude to Dr. Anil Veluvolu and his staff at the Willis-Knighton Cancer Center. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial contributions be made to Southfield School, Centenary College, Tulane University, or the charity of your choice.
-------------------------------------------------
Bill Atkins, philanthropist, dies in Colorado
By John Andrew Prime
[email protected]
William J. "Bill" Atkins, Shreveport philanthropist, financier and money manager, died Saturday while summering with family members in Colorado Springs, Colo. He was 77.
"Bill was from a family that was so much a part of this community, (including) giving the original property to start Centenary College here," said longtime friend Delton Harrison. "They were very much involved in everything that was good. It's people like Bill Atkins that make the community a good community. His giving of money, of property , of time, all those things are important. He will certainly be missed."
Atkins was managing partner of Atco Investment Company and over the years led or was involved in fundraising or management of organizations ranging from the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and the Committee of 100 to the United Way and the Northwest Louisiana Development Center. He also was an active supporter of Centenary College, Southfield School and the Salvation Army.
In 1979, he was named the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce's first "Business Leader of the Year.".
He was a graduate of Sewanee Military Academy and Tulane University, where he earn his Bachelors Degree in Economics. He served three years in the U.S. Air Force in the 1950s.
He and his widow, the former Ruth Knighton, married in 1958 and were the parents of four children.
Atkins was a member of a family with deep ties to Shreveport business and history. His father, John B. Atkins, was an oil pioneer and chairman of the board of the Atlas Processing Company. He also was one of six Shreveport business and civic leaders killed in a January 1954 airplane crash on Wallace Lake just south of Shreveport. That crash altered the political and economic landscape of Shreveport for decades.
A memorial service has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church of Shreveport.
William James "Bill" Atkins, beloved husband and father, passed away on Saturday, July 23rd while vacationing in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Bill was born in Shreveport, Louisiana November 12, 1933. He attended Creswell Elementary and Byrd High School before transitioning to Sewanee Military Academy, where he grew to be a man.
Following his graduation from Sewanee, Bill enrolled in Tulane University, where the bright lights and vibrant energy of New Orleans were a welcome change from the remote mountains of Tennessee. While at Tulane, Bill studied Economics and was active in both the Delta Kappa Epsilon social fraternity and the Air Force ROTC program. Bill loved Tulane, DKE and the Air Force, and would support all three institutions with his time and talents throughout his life.
Upon graduating from Tulane, Bill received his commission in the US Air Force and proudly pinned on his Second Lieutenant bars. He underwent training as a Navigator, earned his wings, and was assigned to the 321st Fighter Interceptor Squadron where he flew in the F-89 Scorpion. These Cold War Warriors were trained to preemptively intercept and dispose of enemy strategic bombers before they could reach U.S. air space. The 321st was prepared to meet the enemy under any weather conditions, and this mission was reflected in the squadron motto, "Even When the Ducks are Walking!" After three years of active duty, Bill transferred into the inactive reserves, and thought that his Air Force career was complete. However, he was surprised when he unexpectedly received two letters from the U.S. Air Force in October of 1962 - the first promoting him to Captain, and the second informing him that he was being transferred into the active reserve. Fortunately, the Cuban Missile Crisis was soon defused, and Bill was able to retire from the service with the rank of captain.
While serving in the Air Force, Bill married his college sweetheart Ruth Knighton, and the couple maintained a loving relationship until the day of Bill's death. Following the Air Force, Ruth and Bill returned to their mutual hometown of Shreveport and began building a life together. Bill was active in many aspects of Shreveport's business and civic activities and became a leading member of the community.
Bill began his business career as a Managing Partner of Atco Investment Company, a family-owned investment company. Over his 50 plus year career, he provided financial support and business insights to many business ventures across a wide breath of industries, including Banking, Finance, Oil and Gas, Industrial Propellants, Agriculture, and numerous entrepreneurial ventures. He served on a number of corporate boards over his business career, including over 30 years with Aeropres Inc. and approximately 20 years with the Commercial National Bank. Through Bill's wise and conscientious leadership, Atco Investment Company grew steadily in both size and scope.
Bill viewed community service as part of his professional responsibility, and he has played a key role in numerous charitable and civic organizations. He is a Past President of the Committee of One Hundred, the Economic Development Foundation, the Southfield School Foundation, the Shreveport Gun Club and the Louisiana Trap Shooters Association. He is a Past Vice President of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, and he served as a Board Member for the Louisiana Association of Commerce and Industry, Southfield School, the Salvation Army, the Biomedical Research Foundation, and the Tulane Business School Council. Finally, in more recent years, he was instrumental in the formation of both the Centenary College Center for Family-Owned Business and the Centenary College Student Managed Investment Fund. In appreciation for his years of service, he was inducted into the Southfield School Hall of Fame and was named, along with his wife, as an Honorary Alumni of Centenary College.
Bill is survived by his lovely wife, Ruth, and his children, Alison Atkins Crowther, Susana Atkins McCarthy and husband Terry, William James Atkins, Jr. and John Edward Atkins and wife Lindsay. He will also be fondly remembered by his two grandchildren Juliette Louise Crowther and William John McCarthy. He will also be missed by many longtime friends, coworkers, and business associates.
A visitation service will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home on Thursday, July 28th from 5 to 7 PM, and a service will be conducted at First Methodist Church at 11 AM on Friday, July 29th. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Pat Beaird, Jim Haynes, Charlie Churchman, Aaron Selber, Donald Zadeck, Delton Harrison, Bubba Graham, Bill Crain, and Reverend Fred Patton.
The family would like to express gratitude to Dr. Anil Veluvolu and his staff at the Willis-Knighton Cancer Center. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial contributions be made to Southfield School, Centenary College, Tulane University, or the charity of your choice.
-------------------------------------------------
Bill Atkins, philanthropist, dies in Colorado
By John Andrew Prime
[email protected]
William J. "Bill" Atkins, Shreveport philanthropist, financier and money manager, died Saturday while summering with family members in Colorado Springs, Colo. He was 77.
"Bill was from a family that was so much a part of this community, (including) giving the original property to start Centenary College here," said longtime friend Delton Harrison. "They were very much involved in everything that was good. It's people like Bill Atkins that make the community a good community. His giving of money, of property , of time, all those things are important. He will certainly be missed."
Atkins was managing partner of Atco Investment Company and over the years led or was involved in fundraising or management of organizations ranging from the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and the Committee of 100 to the United Way and the Northwest Louisiana Development Center. He also was an active supporter of Centenary College, Southfield School and the Salvation Army.
In 1979, he was named the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce's first "Business Leader of the Year.".
He was a graduate of Sewanee Military Academy and Tulane University, where he earn his Bachelors Degree in Economics. He served three years in the U.S. Air Force in the 1950s.
He and his widow, the former Ruth Knighton, married in 1958 and were the parents of four children.
Atkins was a member of a family with deep ties to Shreveport business and history. His father, John B. Atkins, was an oil pioneer and chairman of the board of the Atlas Processing Company. He also was one of six Shreveport business and civic leaders killed in a January 1954 airplane crash on Wallace Lake just south of Shreveport. That crash altered the political and economic landscape of Shreveport for decades.
A memorial service has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church of Shreveport.
Bill was born in Shreveport, Louisiana November 12, 1933. He attended Creswell Elementary and Byrd High School before transitioning to Sewanee Military Academy, where he grew to be a man.
Following his graduation from Sewanee, Bill enrolled in Tulane University, where the bright lights and vibrant energy of New Orleans were a welcome change from the remote mountains of Tennessee. While at Tulane, Bill studied Economics and was active in both the Delta Kappa Epsilon social fraternity and the Air Force ROTC program. Bill loved Tulane, DKE and the Air Force, and would support all three institutions with his time and talents throughout his life.
Upon graduating from Tulane, Bill received his commission in the US Air Force and proudly pinned on his Second Lieutenant bars. He underwent training as a Navigator, earned his wings, and was assigned to the 321st Fighter Interceptor Squadron where he flew in the F-89 Scorpion. These Cold War Warriors were trained to preemptively intercept and dispose of enemy strategic bombers before they could reach U.S. air space. The 321st was prepared to meet the enemy under any weather conditions, and this mission was reflected in the squadron motto, "Even When the Ducks are Walking!" After three years of active duty, Bill transferred into the inactive reserves, and thought that his Air Force career was complete. However, he was surprised when he unexpectedly received two letters from the U.S. Air Force in October of 1962 - the first promoting him to Captain, and the second informing him that he was being transferred into the active reserve. Fortunately, the Cuban Missile Crisis was soon defused, and Bill was able to retire from the service with the rank of captain.
While serving in the Air Force, Bill married his college sweetheart Ruth Knighton, and the couple maintained a loving relationship until the day of Bill's death. Following the Air Force, Ruth and Bill returned to their mutual hometown of Shreveport and began building a life together. Bill was active in many aspects of Shreveport's business and civic activities and became a leading member of the community.
Bill began his business career as a Managing Partner of Atco Investment Company, a family-owned investment company. Over his 50 plus year career, he provided financial support and business insights to many business ventures across a wide breath of industries, including Banking, Finance, Oil and Gas, Industrial Propellants, Agriculture, and numerous entrepreneurial ventures. He served on a number of corporate boards over his business career, including over 30 years with Aeropres Inc. and approximately 20 years with the Commercial National Bank. Through Bill's wise and conscientious leadership, Atco Investment Company grew steadily in both size and scope.
Bill viewed community service as part of his professional responsibility, and he has played a key role in numerous charitable and civic organizations. He is a Past President of the Committee of One Hundred, the Economic Development Foundation, the Southfield School Foundation, the Shreveport Gun Club and the Louisiana Trap Shooters Association. He is a Past Vice President of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, and he served as a Board Member for the Louisiana Association of Commerce and Industry, Southfield School, the Salvation Army, the Biomedical Research Foundation, and the Tulane Business School Council. Finally, in more recent years, he was instrumental in the formation of both the Centenary College Center for Family-Owned Business and the Centenary College Student Managed Investment Fund. In appreciation for his years of service, he was inducted into the Southfield School Hall of Fame and was named, along with his wife, as an Honorary Alumni of Centenary College.
Bill is survived by his lovely wife, Ruth, and his children, Alison Atkins Crowther, Susana Atkins McCarthy and husband Terry, William James Atkins, Jr. and John Edward Atkins and wife Lindsay. He will also be fondly remembered by his two grandchildren Juliette Louise Crowther and William John McCarthy. He will also be missed by many longtime friends, coworkers, and business associates.
A visitation service will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home on Thursday, July 28th from 5 to 7 PM, and a service will be conducted at First Methodist Church at 11 AM on Friday, July 29th. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Pat Beaird, Jim Haynes, Charlie Churchman, Aaron Selber, Donald Zadeck, Delton Harrison, Bubba Graham, Bill Crain, and Reverend Fred Patton.
The family would like to express gratitude to Dr. Anil Veluvolu and his staff at the Willis-Knighton Cancer Center. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial contributions be made to Southfield School, Centenary College, Tulane University, or the charity of your choice.
-------------------------------------------------
Bill Atkins, philanthropist, dies in Colorado
By John Andrew Prime
[email protected]
William J. "Bill" Atkins, Shreveport philanthropist, financier and money manager, died Saturday while summering with family members in Colorado Springs, Colo. He was 77.
"Bill was from a family that was so much a part of this community, (including) giving the original property to start Centenary College here," said longtime friend Delton Harrison. "They were very much involved in everything that was good. It's people like Bill Atkins that make the community a good community. His giving of money, of property , of time, all those things are important. He will certainly be missed."
Atkins was managing partner of Atco Investment Company and over the years led or was involved in fundraising or management of organizations ranging from the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and the Committee of 100 to the United Way and the Northwest Louisiana Development Center. He also was an active supporter of Centenary College, Southfield School and the Salvation Army.
In 1979, he was named the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce's first "Business Leader of the Year.".
He was a graduate of Sewanee Military Academy and Tulane University, where he earn his Bachelors Degree in Economics. He served three years in the U.S. Air Force in the 1950s.
He and his widow, the former Ruth Knighton, married in 1958 and were the parents of four children.
Atkins was a member of a family with deep ties to Shreveport business and history. His father, John B. Atkins, was an oil pioneer and chairman of the board of the Atlas Processing Company. He also was one of six Shreveport business and civic leaders killed in a January 1954 airplane crash on Wallace Lake just south of Shreveport. That crash altered the political and economic landscape of Shreveport for decades.
A memorial service has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church of Shreveport.
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