Herbert Atkinson

Herbert Junior "Bill" Atkinson, 76, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, July 24, 2006, at The Lutheran Home.

He was born Sept. 27, 1929, in Delaware, Ark., son of Homer Herbert and Emma Anna Parsons Atkinson. He and Betty Yates were married Sept. 3, 1966, in DeKalb, Ill. She died Aug. 14, 2002.

Mr. Atkinson grew up in Arkansas and went into the Army and served from Nov. 13, 1946, to June 1, 1947, and from Jan 10, 1951, to Nov. 3, 1951. He was a drywall hanger in the field of construction. He worked in Texas and then in 1956 moved to the Chicago area and worked on the Sears Tower while living there. In 1978 he moved to Florida. In 1992 he moved to Hartshorne, Okla., and then to Cape Girardeau in August 2002. He was of the Assembly of God belief.

He is survived by a daughter, Barbara (Gary) Erb of Big Rapids, Mich.; two stepdaughters, Doris Jean Paver and Marilyn Allen of Illinois; a stepson, Richard Hobbs of Illinois; three sisters, Betty McCulley of Jackson, Ann Wagganer and Naomi (Lois) Newman of Cape Girardeau; two brothers, J.D. (Elaine) Atkinson of Edwardsville, Ill., Arlis (Linda) Atkinson of Bradenton, Fla.; a grandson, Bryan (Jill) Wozny; and a granddaughter, Danielle Wozny.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, a brother and two sisters.

There is no visitation.

Graveside service will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Graves Cemetery in Delaware, Ark.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Teen Challenge International Mid-America, or charity of choice.