Clyde A. Atkinson

Atkinson, Jr., Clyde A.
“Bud”
Appleton

Age 78, passed away peacefully of complications of lung cancer on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 with family at his side at Living Tree Estates Assisted Living Community in Greenville. Bud was born to Clyde and Myrtle (Fluke) Atkinson of Kingsford, MI on March 17, 1931. He joined the U. S. Navy at age 17 and lived in Oak Harbor, WA and San Diego, CA before making Appleton his home since 1965. Bud married Lillian Bodshaug, of Milwaukee, on June 15, 1957. He was a loving and devoted husband and father blessed with four children. Bud retired from the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer in 1968 after 20 years of distinguished service including duty in the Pacific Theatre during the Korean War. For the next 21 years, he served as a Drivers License Examiner for the state of Wisconsin in the Appleton area until his retirement in 1989. Bud will be remembered as a loving, kind, and generous man who welcomed everyone, and was a friend to all.

Bud is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lillian Atkinson, residing at Brewster Village of Appleton; three children: Michael (Renee) Atkinson of Appleton, David (Debra) Hamilton of Stoughton, and Linda (Jim) Lardinois of Neenah; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Erickson of Duluth, MN; four grandchildren: Ryan Kough of Duluth, MN, Amanda (Jim) Holt of Oshkosh, and Marc and Doug Atkinson of Duluth, MN; two great- grandchildren: Dominique Wedde and Alexis Holt, both of Oshkosh; and sister, Leta Atkinson of San Bernardino, CA. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law. He was preceded in death by a son, Bruce Atkinson of Duluth, MN; parents: Clyde and Myrtle Atkinson; two sisters: Betty (Eric) Schneider of Bellingham, WA and Virginia (Ted) Groleau of California.

A celebration of life will be at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2009 at the Wichmann Funeral Home, with Rev. Timothy Seabaugh officiating. Friends will be received at the funeral home on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in Appleton Highland Memorial Park.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Kathy Basler & Jackie Martin and everyone at The Living Tree for their exceptional care and expression of compassion for Bud that allowed him to feel comfort, love and peace during his final four weeks of life. And a thank you to ThedaCare Hospice for assuring Bud's comfort.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 North Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
(920) 739-1231