Dr. William T. Atkinson Jr.

1929 - 2017

ADRIAN -?Dr. William T. Atkinson Jr., age 87, of Adrian, Mich., and Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., died June 1, 2017, in Marietta, Ga.
He was born Nov. 25, 1929, in Glen Ridge, N.J., to William T. and Florence E. (Kennedy) Atkinson. In 1951 he graduated with "cum laude" honors and a BS degree from Seton Hall University. In 1955 he graduated from St. Louis University School of Medicine, obtaining an M.D. degree and membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. A stint of four years in the 102nd Armored Calvary of the New Jersey National Guard occurred during his college years. After a hiatus in his military career during medical school, he rejoined the Guard, this time as a medical doctor in the Missouri National Guard where he rose from lieutenant to captain. He pursued further medical education as a rotating intern at Milwaukee County Hospital and a residency in pediatrics a St. Louis City Hospital.
On Sept. 17, 1955, he and Suzanne Carey were married at St. Mary's Church in Adrian. For the next 29 years, Dr. Atkinson maintained a private pediatric practice in West Allis, Wis., followed by four years as a pediatrician for the Teamsters Union in Milwaukee. During those years, he served as an educator in pediatrics for the Medical College of Wisconsin, teaching medical students and house staff. He became Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and gained the title of Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics in 1964. Upon retiring from private practice in Wisconsin, he and his family moved to Florida where he served the health departments of Walton and Okaloosa Counties as a staff pediatrician. He continued teaching medical students and nurses during these years until his retirement in 2002. He enjoyed camping with his children, gardening, golfing, fishing and genealogy. He attended St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Adrian and Resurrection Catholic Church in Florida.
He is survived by his children, Jane E. (John) d'Hemecourt, Abita Springs, La.; Bill (Barbara) Atkinson, Towson, Md.; Juliann (Jeffery) Findling, Marietta, Ga.; James (Chryssa) Atkinson, San Clemente, Calif.; Paul (Andrea) Atkinson, Minneapolis, Minn., and Phillip (Rashida Parrish) Atkinson, Atlanta, Ga.; sister Barbara (John) Parker, Davis, Calif., and brother David (Maureen) Atkinson, Hackettstown, N.J.; as well as 16 grandchildren, John, Julia, Janey and Jeffrey d'Hemecourt; Emily, Will and Michael Atkinson; Natalie, Drew and Clare Findling; Sydney and Sam Atkinson; McCall, Ansley and Truman Atkinson; Theodore James Anderson; great-grandson, Patrick d'Hemecourt; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by Suzanne Atkinson.
Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, June 9, at St. Mary of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Adrian. His funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at noon, with Fr. Tom Murphy as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Adrian.
You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Academy of Pediatrics or www.shelteringgrace.org/donate/. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.