Via Adcock Funeral Home
USMC Retired Gunnery Sergeant, William “Bill” Jesse Perry Atkins, 88, passed away on September 23, 2022 at his home in Gray's Creek, North Carolina.
Bill is preceded in death by his father, William George Atkins and his mother Rosa Lee Merritt Atkins; sisters, Nettie Ann Atkins Holsonback, and Betty Delois Atkins Cagle; brothers, Charles Vance Atkins and John Samuel Atkins.
Bill joined the US Marine Corps on January 15th 1952 at the age of 17 and served for 22 years, 1 month and 22 days. He served in Korea and 3 tours of duty in Vietnam. He was awarded both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. After he retired from the Marines, he joined the Durham County Sheriff's Department as a patrolman and later a detective. In 1980, he moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina where he was employed by Cumberland County Sheriff's Department as a patrol officer, burglary detective, and homicide detective. He eventually retired and spent his time reading and collecting military books.
Bill is survived by his wife of 42 years, Billie Jo Atkins; son, William Edward Atkins of Hillsboro, North Carolina; daughter, Vicki Sue Atkins Theis (Gary) of Simpsonville, South Carolina; son, Gary Wayne Atkins (Sid Stroup) of Cherryville, North Carolina; son, George Michael Atkins of Durham, North Carolina; grandchildren, Erika Sue Atkins Gregory (David), Charles Greenlee Tyler Atkins (Mandi), Shelley Atkins Bagwell (Tate), Christopher Atkins, Megan Quigley, Caylen Quigley McAlister (Sean), Justin Theis (Noelle) and Brad Theis (Tyler); eight great-grandchildren, Wesley and Ryan Gregory, Luca Atkins, Makinna Atkins, Brighten Bagwell, Aubrey Atkins, Cynthia Hope Atkins, and Aubree Theis; sister-in-law, Carlene Strickland (Bennie) and many nieces and nephews.
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