William Garretson Atkinson Jr.

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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

William Atkinson Obituary

Mystic - William Garretson Atkinson Jr. died on Nov. 18, 2012, at Avalon Health Center in Mystic.

Born on July 10, 1925, in Tacoma, Wash., Bill was the only child of William Garretson Atkinson Sr. and Hazel (Bell) Atkinson. A lifelong passion for boats and the sea began on Puget Sound, where Bill was a Sea Scout and worked as a deckhand and ship's carpenter during his youth. An outstanding student, he came East to study Naval Architecture at M.I.T. in 1943. Bill served as a signalman in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, after which he returned to M.I.T., graduating in 1949.

After graduation, Bill accepted a position with Electric Boat in Groton. A pioneer of the nuclear submarine industry, he studied nuclear engineering at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and was part of the original design team for the first nuclear powered submarine Nautilus. He authored a book, "Introduction to Atomic Energy", in 1959, and taught courses to fellow shipbuilders on the subject. He was leader of the team that designed and built the George Washington, the first nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine. He retired from EB in 1980, having served in various senior management positions.

Bill married Martha Louise Logan in 1953, and moved to Gales Ferry, where they raised three sons. In 1984, Bill married Dorothy Santin McKenna, and became stepfather to her three children.

Bill was involved in the Ledyard community where he served on the Ledyard School Board and as chairman of the Ledyard High School Building Committee and the high school Addition Committee. He was also a founding member of St. David's Church in Gales Ferry, and served as warden, treasurer, and chairman of the original Church Building Committee.

On the family land in Gales Ferry, Bill planted over 60,000 Christmas trees and ran a "cut your own tree" business for over 20 years. Bill traveled extensively throughout his life but was always most content on his land. Bill was also a popular interpreter at the Mystic Seaport, noted for his portrayals of "the old salt," the blacksmith, and St. Nicholas.

Bill was predeceased by his oldest son, Gary, who died in 1988.

He is survived by his son, John Atkinson, his wife, Colleen, and their daughters, Kathryn and Juliette, his son, David Atkinson, his wife, LaNae, and their daughter, Kelsey; his step daughter, Suzanne Dalal, her husband, Mike, and their children, Randall and Morgan; his stepson, Scott McKenna and his son, Ethan and his stepdaughter, Kristen McKenna.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, in the Chart Room at StoneRidge, 186 Jerry Browne Road, Mystic.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org, or the charity of your choice.

The family invites you to visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com to leave an online message of condolence.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Day on Nov. 20, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for William Atkinson

9 Entries

Dave Fairman

February 24, 2025

Rest in Peace Bill. Thanks for your help calibrating the EM log. A boring job in the lower level missile compartment.

Lynn and Carl Davis

December 3, 2012

John and David,
Just today we learned of your father's passing. Such great loss in such a brief time. May your memories sustain you in this time of tremendeous sorrow.

Steve Lavin

November 25, 2012

John and David,
My sincere condolences on your loss. I remember your dad from years ago in Ledyard. Best wishes,
Steve Lavin

November 24, 2012

Dear John and David,
My sincere condolences on the loss of both your mother and father. Our family bought Christmas Trees for years from your dad. My father worked with your Dad at EB and my mother interfaced with your mother in the music world and I was your art teacher for one year at Ledyard Center school.
Both your parents contributed so much to so many others during their time on this earth. May you carry on their legacy. Sincerely,
Carol Langdon Kohankie

November 23, 2012

I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2.

November 20, 2012

My condolences to the Atkinson family. Loss of a family member is always so very hard to accept.Barbara McKenna L'Homme

Kurt Cramer

November 20, 2012

Dear David and John,
Please accept my condolences on behalf of the Cramer Family. Your Dad was a great pioneer and wonderful man. May your memories bring you peace at this time of loss.

November 20, 2012

Dear John and David.

I was very sorry to hear of the recent death of both your father and mother. It is a sad time for you and your families.

I remember when our families lived next door to each other on Woodland Drive in Groton a long time ago. I used to babysit you, John, and your brother Gary. There are also fond memories of the fourth of July picnics we would have with you, the Holts and Pierces at the farm.

I worked for your father one summer at Electric Boat and really enjoyed the experience.

I am visiting my Mother, Jean Glass, in Florida. She joins me in our deepest condolences to the Atkinson family.

Sincerely,
Leanne Glass Eisert

November 20, 2012

Bill was a great man who contributed much to the nuclear submarine world.May he rest in peace.
From an admirer, Bill Pedace, Abiquiu, NM

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