Billy J. (Bill) Atkinson, 92, of St. Louis, died Jan. 21, 2025.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Pat Atkinson; his daughter, Jeanne Atkinson; his son, Bill Atkinson; his five grandchildren and his seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Freta and Eldred; his brothers, Frank and Bob; his sister, Mattie; and his grandson, Zachary.

Bill was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on Feb. 29, 1932, to Freta and Eldred Atkinson. The family moved to St. Louis shortly thereafter before later moving to Annapolis, Missouri, where Bill attended high school.

Bill married Patricia Jean (Pat) Atkinson of St. Louis on Jan. 26, 1952. Only a few short weeks later, in the midst of the Korean War, Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army. He completed basic training, but a doctor’s diagnosis of a heart ailment kept him from being sent overseas. Instead, he served two years at Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama.

After Bill was honorably discharged from the Army, he and Pat returned to St. Louis. Bill began working nights for the Burlington Railroad and days at his father-in-law’s music store.

In 1955, Bill bought his father-in-law's store and renamed it Atkinson Music. He ran the store until 2005.

During those five decades, Atkinson Music was one of the leading music outlets in the city, but Bill’s special genius was in repairs. Using his self-taught instincts and skills, Bill became the city’s go-to expert in instrument repair. Bill and Pat also used Atkinson Music as a platform for music education, teaching generations of St. Louis musicians on acoustic, electric and steel guitar, as well as drums.

Bill’s musical talent was not limited to working with instruments and teaching. He was a regionally known steel guitar player, playing and recording country and gospel tunes with local artists and bands and sitting in with artists like Chet Atkins and Chuck Berry. More than anything, though, Bill loved and was devoted to jam sessions with his dear friends of many years, Mel Echols and Ted Brown.

Perhaps due to his being born on leap day – and thus his 18th birthday not coming until he was 72 years old – Bill never developed a taste for alcohol. Instead, his drinks of choice were hot coffee – which was not hot enough unless microwaved after coming out of the pot – and cold
milk, which was not cold enough unless put in the freezer after coming out of the refrigerator.

Bill’s wholesomeness was not only reflected in his beverage selections. He was a gentle giant, tall and strong but soft-spoken with never a cross word (let alone a
swear), despite starting every morning by finishing the crossword puzzle in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He always had a joke at the ready, even if most of them were what are now described as “dad jokes,” many about accordions and accordion players.

Bill was also supremely athletic and able to balance things – including chairs on his chin and small children on his hand – but he saved most of his sports-related passion for cheering on the Cardinals.

The family is grateful to the many people who helped Bill during his final years, including those at the Veterans Administration, Gentiva Hospice and Makaylah from Forever Diamond Health Care. A special thanks from the family to their “angel” Jamie Bartz.

A visitation will be held at Kutis South County Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, on Jan. 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi, 4556 Telegraph Road, with a burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of your choice.