William Charles Atkinson

Bill Atkinson passed away peacefully on Monday, February 12, 2024, at the age of 87 years. Bill was an only child and was born in Holland, Manitoba, on February 24, 1936. He grew up on the family farm before moving to a cattle ranch in British Columbia in 1952. He studied the art of Morse Telegraphy and in 1955 he went to work for the C.N.R. as a telegraph operator and spent the next 10 years working at various train order stations throughout the British Columbia district. In 1965 he quit railroading and went to work for Greyhound Lines of Canada Ltd. in Penticton, British Columbia as an Express Agent, Ticket Agent and bus dispatcher. In 1968 he was transferred to Winnipeg as District Marketing Manager and then became City Sales Manager there in 1969. In 1976 he was transferred to the Calgary head office as Assistant Director of Traffic and was promoted to Director of Traffic in 1978, a position he held until he took early pension in the summer of 1992.

Bill volunteered at Heritage Park in Calgary for over 20 years, showing his telegraphic skills in the railway stations in the park and he also took part in over 100 school classes, putting on telegraph demonstrations for the students.

He loved old-time music and was a talented singer and musician, performing over 2000 times in nursing homes, seniors' lodges and hospitals with "Peter & Pals" and various other old time bands.

He was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Ada Atkinson and in 2001 by Betty, his loving wife of 43 years. He is survived by his three daughters: Brenda Damen, Barbara Keeley (Steve) and Belinda Pefanis (Constantine). He had six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Bill was a gentle and an honorable man who touched many lives and he will be sadly missed by all he came in contact with.

A Funeral Service will be held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

Interment will follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heritage Park at https://heritagepark.ca.

The Funeral Service will also be live streamed for those who wish to attend virtually, please click in the link in service area below the obituary. Call Foster’s Garden Chapel for more information