Bill Atkins

Bill Atkins, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to the many who knew him, passed away peacefully at his home on October 31, 2014. He was born February 18, 1928 in Queensridge (Little Harts Creek-Lincoln County), the eldest son of the late Sidney and Alice Atkins. His loving wife, and the centerpiece of his wonderful life and universe, Patricia Plumley Atkins, preceded him in death. Bill is survived by his son, William (Rod) Atkins and wife Michong of Huntington, WV; a wonderful daughter and care giver, Jan E. Atkins Hinkle and husband Jay of Palmyra, VA, and daughter Heather Atkins of Branchland, WV. His wonderful grandchildren in which the sun rose and set each day are: Josh and Jordan Hinkle, Kobe Swanson, Taylor Lucas and Megan Atkins. Surviving siblings include Sidney Atkins Jr., and wife Ruth of Pleasant View, WV, and Myrtle Hannah of Michigan, and many nieces and nephews and other extended family members located throughout the region. Also preceding him were siblings Mae Smith, Dolley Hainer, and brother Jay Atkins (wife Lillian, Little Harts Creek, WV survives.)

Bill was raised on the family's farm in Little Harts Creek. The homestead had been held by various members of the Atkins family for over 150 years. Bill's father, Sidney Atkins, was a driving force in the development of Bill's character and the entire Atkins family clan. "Big Sid", a combat veteran of the great war, WWI, was a successful timber merchant, grocery business owner and chicken farmer.

At the age of 12, Bill earned his driver's license from a benevolent local State Trooper (also a good friend of Big Sid, who was also a former Deputy Sheriff in Lincoln County during the prohibition days), in order to assist his father in the family timber business. He drove timber trucks from locations where the timber was harvested to the many mines located in Logan County under contracts his father had secured. Most notably, Island Creek Coal Company, the largest underground mining company in southern WV at the time. Later in his adolescence, he also assisted his father with the family "store" business located on Little Harts. He would assist his father and little brother Sid, Jr. in the enterprising egg business his father had created on the family farm. In the mid 60's, there were as many as 6000 laying hens that kept the family busy in gathering and distributing the hundreds of eggs each week that local grocers in several surrounding counties came to count on.

Bill attended and graduated from Guyan Valley High School, Pleasant View, WV. After graduation, at his father's bidding, he was given the choice of attending Charleston Business College or Marshall College. There were only two lines of work worth pursuing, according to Big Sid, and that was have clerical skills for business or becoming a school teacher, nothing else. He choose the business route and was soon employed as a general clerk by the Island Creek Coal Company, Logan, WV. After a short employment stint, due to the uncertainty of the boom and bust cycles of the coal business, he drifted into employment with the Lincoln County Board of Education in Hamlin. It was here in Hamlin where he met and soon married the love of his life, Patricia Plumley. Both Bill and Patti served stints as one room school teachers during this period as well as operating a restaurant near Guyan Valley High School. The restaurant was constructed from lumber cut in the area and milled at the family saw mill located on Little Harts Creek.

In 1952, Bill served his country proudly in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon his honorable discharge, Bill started his 38 year career with United Fuel Gas Company, later merging into Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation and then NiSource Gas Transmission and Storage from which he retired. He held positions of gas measurement clerk, well scout, engineering technician, safety manager, and his final position of area Office Manager for the Huntington Division. While employed with United Fuel, he attended and graduated from Morris Harvey College, class of 1961, with a BA degree in business management. Following in his father's political footsteps, who had previously served as the county board's president, Bill was also past president of the Lincoln County Board of Education, being elected to the board in 1960. Bill would spend the next 40 years "play'n" in county politics in which he dearly loved, establishing friendships that have endured to this day. Bill was a long standing member of Central United Methodist Church of Hamlin, having served in many administrative and leadership roles for decades. He truly loved and cherished his church family. Bill was also a 32nd Degree Mason of the Hamlin Lodge.

The true legacy of Bill Atkins was that he instilled in his family the values of honesty, integrity, compassion, hard work, the importance of education, and to respect the rights of others. His church, family, and friends will cherish his memories and he will be sorely missed by all. As his family, we can only hope we can live up to the standards he established and valued during his lifetime. We love and miss you Dad.

Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Wednesday November 5, 2014 at Hamlin United Methodist Church, Hamlin, WV with Rev. Bob Fulton and Roy Lee Lambert officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Memory Gardens, Hamlin. Viewing will be held from 6 to 8 PM Tuesday at Handley Funeral Home, Hamlin. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made to the building fund of Hamlin United Methodist Church.