Billy Atkinson Obituary Billy Atkinson November 16, 1948 － January 13, 2023 Richmond － Billy Atkinson, 74, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. He was born Nov. 16, 1948, the eldest son of the late Smiley and Rachel Atkinson of Franklin. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Rev. Susie Atkinson; two children, Tracy (Julie) Atkinson of Richmond and Angie Atkinson of Los Angeles, CA; two grandchildren, Preston and Vaughn Atkinson of Richmond; two sisters and a brother, Cookie (Wilson) Drake of Franklin, Patsy Bridges of Franklin, Mike (Allene) Atkinson of Franklin; nine nieces and nephews; many great nieces and nephews, cousins, and other relatives; a multitude of friends, and his family in the fellowship of Christ through the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with which he was active for 49 years and served over 40 years as an elder. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, Glenn Bridges; cousins Sonny and Ed Sansbury; a nephew, Roger Drake; and his first wife, Pat. Billy was born in Dillon, South Carolina, and grew up in the Carolinas before his family settled in Franklin in 1961. He learned many trades, owned his own contracting business, and worked in sales and management in industrial wood products, from which he retired after 34 years. He loved to sing, both alone and for a crowd, and in retirement, he worked as a professional entertainer singing in the Richmond area. Billy was immensely proud of his family and their accomplishments and would tell everyone he met about them. He had a lifelong passion for golf and won multiple amateur championships. He loved college football and sports in general. With his wife Susie, married Sept. 19, 1973, he raised a loving family and devoted his life to serving others. Their marriage and work took Billy to Muncie, IN; Starkville, MS; Richmond, VA; Gladys, VA; Havre de Grace, MD; and Crozet, VA. A kind and lively man, Billy was outgoing and loved everyone, and was always willing to step up and lead or lend a helping hand. To all those who have ever called on him for help or who benefitted from his support, he will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at Wright Funeral Home and Crematory in Franklin. Friends are welcome to attend. Rev. Melissa Knight will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Habitat for Humanity. Obituary published on Legacy.com by Wright Funeral Home and Crematory － Franklin on Jan. 17, 2023. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org/obituary/Billy-Atkinson 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/billy-atkinson-obituary?id=38670166 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative summary of the obituary: Billy Atkinson, 74, of Richmond, Virginia, died on 13 January 2023. Born on 16 November 1948, he was a contractor, industrial wood products manager, and singer. He was active in the Presbyterian Church for 49 years, serving as an elder for over 40. Billy was survived by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren. ### Narrative summary of funeral services: A memorial service was held at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, 22 January 2023 at Wright Funeral Home and Crematory in Franklin. Rev. Melissa Knight officiated. In lieu of flowers, donations to Habitat for Humanity were requested. The location of burial was not specified. ### The Edited Obituary Billy Atkinson Obituary Billy Atkinson November 16, 1948 January 13, 2023 Richmond Billy Atkinson, 74, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away Friday, 13 January 2023. He was born 16 November 1948, the eldest son of the late Smiley and Rachel Atkinson of Franklin. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Rev. Susie Atkinson; two children, Tracy (Julie) Atkinson of Richmond and Angie Atkinson of Los Angeles, CA; two grandchildren, Preston and Vaughn Atkinson of Richmond; two sisters and a brother, Cookie (Wilson) Drake of Franklin, Patsy Bridges of Franklin, Mike (Allene) Atkinson of Franklin; nine nieces and nephews; many great nieces and nephews, cousins, and other relatives; a multitude of friends, and his family in the fellowship of Christ through the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with which he was active for 49 years and served over 40 years as an elder. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother in law, Glenn Bridges; cousins Sonny and Ed Sansbury; a nephew, Roger Drake; and his first wife, Pat. Billy was born in Dillon, South Carolina, and grew up in the Carolinas before his family settled in Franklin in 1961. He learned many trades, owned his own contracting business, and worked in sales and management in industrial wood products, from which he retired after 34 years. He loved to sing, both alone and for a crowd, and in retirement, he worked as a professional entertainer singing in the Richmond area. Billy was immensely proud of his family and their accomplishments and would tell everyone he met about them. He had a lifelong passion for golf and won multiple amateur championships. He loved college football and sports in general. With his wife Susie, married 19 September 1973, he raised a loving family and devoted his life to serving others. Their marriage and work took Billy to Muncie, IN; Starkville, MS; Richmond, VA; Gladys, VA; Havre de Grace, MD; and Crozet, VA. A kind and lively man, Billy was outgoing and loved everyone, and was always willing to step up and lead or lend a helping hand. To all those who have ever called on him for help or who benefitted from his support, he will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, 22 January 2023 at Wright Funeral Home and Crematory in Franklin. Friends are welcome to attend. Rev. Melissa Knight will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Habitat for Humanity. ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Billy Atkinson | |---------|------------------------------------------| | Age | 74 | | Birth | 16 November 1948; Dillon, South Carolina | | Death | 13 January 2023; Richmond, Virginia | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |-------------------------|----------------------------|------------------------------| | Billy Atkinson | Decedent | Richmond, Virginia | | Rev. Susie Atkinson | Spouse | Unknown | | Smiley Atkinson | Predeceased Parent | -- | | Rachel Atkinson | Predeceased Parent | -- | | Tracy Atkinson | Child | Richmond, Virginia | | Angie Atkinson | Child | Los Angeles, California | | Preston Atkinson | Grandchild | Richmond, Virginia | | Vaughn Atkinson | Grandchild | Richmond, Virginia | | Cookie Drake | Sibling | Franklin | | Patsy Bridges | Sibling | Franklin | | Mike Atkinson | Sibling | Franklin | | Glenn Bridges | Predeceased Brother-in-law | -- | | Sonny Sansbury | Predeceased Cousin | -- | | Ed Sansbury | Predeceased Cousin | -- | | Roger Drake | Predeceased Nephew | -- | | Pat | Predeceased Spouse | -- | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Billy Atkinson was born in Dillon, South Carolina. 2. He grew up in the Carolinas before his family settled in Franklin in 1961. 3. He learned many trades and owned his own contracting business. 4. He worked in sales and management in industrial wood products for 34 years before retiring. 5. He loved to sing and worked as a professional entertainer in the Richmond area after retirement. 6. He had a lifelong passion for golf and won multiple amateur championships. 7. He loved college football and sports in general. 8. He was active in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for 49 years. 9. He served as an elder in the church for over 40 years. 10. His marriage and work took him to Muncie, IN; Starkville, MS; Richmond, VA; Gladys, VA; Havre de Grace, MD; and Crozet, VA. 11. He was described as a kind and lively man, outgoing and loving everyone. 12. He was always willing to step up and lead or lend a helping hand.