William Robert Atkinson, 97, of Leon, passed away on Friday, May 31, 2013, at his home. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and was retired from the Chessie System Railroad. He was a Kentucky Colonel and was an ordained minister of Carroll Memorial Community Church, in Lincoln County.

William was born April 24, 1916, in Hamlin, a son to the late Robert Lake and Mary Elizabeth (Carroll) Atkinson. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy (Hudson) Atkinson; a son, William "Bobby" Atkinson; a daughter, Nancy Carroll Atkinson; and two sisters.

William is survived by his daughter, Dora Jan Atkinson, of Leon; grandchildren, William R. "Robby" Atkinson and his wife, Michelle, of Barboursville and Jason Bryant Burdette, of Nashville, TN; great-grandson, Brandon Tyler Atkinson; and his daughter-in-law, Kathy Atkinson.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at the Crow-Hussell Funeral Home, with Deacon Herskel Dailey officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Letart, with graveside military honors provided by the WV Honor Guard and the American Legion, Mason County Post #23. Visitation will be held at the funeral home one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.

William's care has been entrusted to Crow-Hussell Funeral Home. An online registry is available at: www.crowhussellfh.com.