William Atkinson

A legend has ridden off into the sunset.

William Atkinson, aka Bill, Billy Pete, Wild Willy, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, passed on Saturday, February 28, 2026. He passed peacefully on a quiet farm morning with Char, his beloved wife of 57 years, by his side.

Bill was born in Prairie du Chien May 24, 1944, to Tom and Elizabeth (Kessler) Atkinson.

He is survived by:  His wife, Charlene (Degenhardt) Atkinson; Daughters, Tanya Atkinson (Laurie Reisener) & Heather Puckett (Brett Puckett); Two grandchildren, Braxton and Hudson Puckett; Sister, Martha (Jim) Hestad; Brother, Bob (Lou) Atkinson; Sister–in-law, Marlene Mook; Brother–in–law, Marty Degenhardt; nieces and nephews, Marci Fischer, Beth Hestad, Stephanie Wanek, Zeb Degenhardt, Mike Mook, Mark Mook, Logan Degenhardt. Bill is also survived by many great nieces and nephews, extended family members, and life-long best friend Mike Farrell.

He was preceded in death by his parents Tom and Elizabeth Atkinson, and in-laws Chuck and Naomi Degenhardt.

Bill was born and raised on a farm in Crawford County, Wisconsin. He went to elementary school in a one room schoolhouse - Reynolds Elementary and graduated from Boscobel High School in 1962. He attended UW Platteville and took a variety of classes at Southwest Technical College to learn new farm-related skills.

Growing up he was known as “Wild Willy” because of his love of rodeos, horse shows and fast cars. (Probably for other reasons too, but we’ll leave it here.) He also excelled at annoying his brother and sister every chance he had.

Farming, friends, and family were everything to Bill. Being a farmer wasn’t what he did, it’s who he was. A dairy farmer through and through, Bill farmed on Maple Ridge his entire life. While farming is brutal work, he kept his sense of humor with a pinch of mischief. You’d better watch your back in the summer because there was always a pail of water or a hose itching to start a water fight.

Bill respected the land and his animals, applying life lessons that transcended the farm: don’t overuse a natural resource, take care of those that depend on you, what you do now matters seasons ahead. Every night he’d turn on the radio for the cows. He said it was because studies showed it helped milk production. His family thinks it was because he wanted the cows to share in his joy of the oldies.

To say Bill liked being around people is like saying a fish likes water. His friends genuinely meant the world to him. He loved making new friends and spending time with his lifelong friends. He saw the good in people and most importantly he saw the person. Bill was incredibly smart, a prolific reader, a sponge for knowledge, especially the breadth of American history. He could have a conversation with anyone about just about anything. Leaning on a pickup truck, having a beer, and trading wisdom with a friend – lots and lots of wisdom – was his happiest place.

He loved playing all kinds of games – board games, card games – most of all Euchre. He and Char taught their girls to play at young ages, regularly playing at the kitchen table. In addition to the rules of the game, he modeled how to talk the biggest of Euchre smack talk – laying down both bowers with a joke and his trademark giggle. There was never a time Bill wasn’t in at least one card club. After he retired, he and his friends would meet in Steuben, drink coffee, trade wisdom, and play cards. After he got sick, those card games motivated him to take care of himself to be well enough to join. A week before he passed, his friends brought the game to him.

At the heart of his heart was family. Bill met Charlene at Chuck’s Sinclair, Restaurant/garage/Gas Station, while Char was in middle school.  Char had a big crush on him for a long time, but Bill paid no notice. Finally, Bill got the hint and they started dating in high school. They eventually married in a snowstorm in December of 1969.

By 1977 they had two daughters, often reminding them he “always dreamed of having two girls and I did!” He was ever present in their lives, helping them try all the things they could cook up. He made houses of cardboard boxes, taught them to ride horses, show animals at the fair – so many animals, held them on a horse or decorated their bike for the 4th of July, attended every concert, play, sporting event, horseshow, and forensics meet. He didn’t expect them to be the best but try their best. He set up a drum set for Tanya in their living room and celebrated when she could finally play the Barbara Ann solo.  Bill’s love for horses spilled over to Heather and when she was in 7th grade he took her to the Waverly Horse sale and this continued every spring and fall for almost 20 years.

He also made his girls work. Hard. Year round, by his side, milking cows, in the field, picking up bolts, and helping their old man by holding the flashlight. He taught them by example how to take care of themselves, use tools, change a tire, give it a try, and stand on your own two feet.

As it goes, it takes a village, and Bill showed up for other kids too. He was a 4-H volunteer every year at the Crawford County fair and was so proud when he won the volunteer of the year award. 

He was also so proud to be a grandpa. He continued his pattern, attending every event, game, meets, concerts. He taught them to fish, shared his love of squirrel hunting, taught them the values of a hunter, telling them tales of the time he went wild-game hunting out west. (A dream come true even though he didn’t shoot a thing.)

Char was his heart. They loved and liked each other. Him an extrovert, her an introvert. Him loud and humorous, her quieter and wittier, her putting up with him, him saying he was lucky to have her. Bill loved when the two of them would go fishing, or “for a drive”, usually ending at a hardware store, sitting quietly watching TV, or having long conversations. 

After Bill retired, he also spent his time doing woodwork. He especially liked making pieces out of the barnwood from their old haymow.

Bill brought joy and humor into almost every room he was in. He will be deeply missed by so many.

You know what you should do? Join us at his celebration of life (aka the party he wanted) which will be held from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Century Hall, 213 E. Front Street, Wauzeka. Online condolences can be offered at www.kendallfuneralservice.com. 

When I die, remember that what you knew of me is with you always. What is buried is only the shell of what was. Do not regret the shell but remember the man. Remember the father. (Louis L’Amour)

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