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William P. "Bill" Atkins

William P. \"Bill\" Atkins

May 3, 2012

William P. \"Bill\" Atkins, 83, of Athens, died Thursday, May 3, 2012, at NHC Health Care of Athens.

A native of Earl, Ark., he was a son of the late Odie and Allene Hickman Atkins, and was also preceded in death by his lovely wife of 53 years, Ruth Arnett Atkins, on Sept. 22, 2011.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Athens and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He attended the Keegan School of Radio Broadcasting and attended Arkansas State University. He later was associated with WLAR as sales manager and as a broadcaster for more than 50 years until his retirement. He was especially known in later years for his Sunday Morning Memory Music Program in the WLAR-WJSQ broadcast area. He was a member of VFW Post 5146 and the Masonic Lodge.

Survivors include several cousins in the Earl, Ark., area and local cousins, Ron Arnett, Jerry Arnett, Paul Arnett, Larry Arnett, Tommy Arnett, Jessie Arnett, Mark Arnett, Denzil Burke, Melvin Mooneyham, Wayne Bohannon, C.E. Vincent, Paul Vincent, Don Wilson, Joyce Torbett, Eglenda Arnett, Marsha Johnston, Melinda Arnett, Susie Hooper and Joann Wilson.

A graveside service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Cedar Grove Cemetery with Dr. Jason Clark officiating. A eulogy will follow by Charles \"Chuck\" Ketron. Military honors will be presented at the graveside by the U.S. Army.

Pallbearers will be Ron Arnett, Jerry Arnett, Paul Arnett, Larry Arnett, Don Wilson, Tyler Wilson, Bobby Scott, Chuck Ketron, Jackie Baker, Bryan Arnett, Broderick Arnett, John Webb and Randy Sliger.

The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church of Athens, 305 Ingleside Ave., Athens, TN 37303.

If you are unable to attend this service or visitation, sign the guest register at www.jerrysmithfuneralhome.com

Smith Funeral & Cremation Service of Athens is serving the family of William P. \"Bill\" Atkins.