William Collins Atkinson

William Collins Atkinson, 69, of Pennington, MN, a soldier of Christ, a beloved husband, and a dedicated father, went to be with his awaiting Heavenly Father on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at his home in Cass Lake, MN.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at the Pennington Revival Center in Pennington, MN. A reception will follow the service at the Atkinson Family Home. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00pm, with a Prayer Service at 7:00pm, on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at the Pennington Revival Center and one hour before the service on Thursday. Interment will be at the Sugar Bush Township Cemetery near Pennington, MN. Arrangements are with the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji.

William Collins Atkinson was born in 1946 on the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota. William went by Willie. Willie was raised by his grandparents, at times on the Red Lake Reservation. He was enrolled in Roseau River Reservation in Manitoba, Canada. Willie went to school in several locations that include Roseau River, Red Lake, Bemidji, and Grand Forks. Willie went into the Army in 1966 and went to the Post Korean War from 1966-1968. He was posted in the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) in South Korea specializing in communications. Willie chose to accept Jesus Christ into his heart in 1976. Willie was married to the love of his life, Anna, in 1977. Willie worked as a supervisor of housing for the BIA in North Dakota. Willie worked as a block layer and a cement finisher for many years in Grand Forks. He was a plumber for Leech Lake Housing for three years. Willie and Anna, servant-heartedly, ministered with their children, sharing the love of Jesus Christ, in many places in Canada, Alaska, and around the United States. The Atkinsons were missionaries; they had traveled and did tent revivals for 20 years, took clothing to the hollers in West Virginia. They ministered on the streets, in bush camps, garbage dumps, house-meetings and also in various churches. They give all the glory to Jesus Christ for what He did through them. Willie enjoyed many activities including hunting, fishing, cribbage, singing, telling stories, and playing guitar. Willie's home church was in Naytahwaush on the White Earth Reservation for over 25 years. Willie had a warm accepting heart for those around him and for those in need. You would know him when you saw him. Willie had a comical grin on his face and used to always wear a big Indian hat. He was one of a kind, God broke the mold when He made Willie. Willie battled Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma since October 2015. He was a brave soldier that didn't lose his fight, he overcame it when he went to Heaven and is in no more pain. Willie is in Heaven, a place he was telling so many people about. Willie loved to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Willie was proceeded in death by his father, William Atkinson, mother, Martha Kipling, brother, Charles Atkinson, Aunt Edwina Richotte (Harvey), Aunt Christina Lyons (Albert), and son, Josiah Atkinson.

Willie is survived by wife June Anna Atkinson, son Giashamena Atkinson, daughter Sahgahsega Atkinson, grandchildren Josiah E., Danisha Sells, Ianna V., Xander Molash, and Talon Molash. Siblings of William include Marvin Atkinson (Linda), John Atkinson (Ruth), Anita Rondeau (Steve), Julie Knudson (Dave), Mykal Costello (Paula), Gerard Costello (Mabel), Eugene Jorgenson (Mary) and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Condolences may be left at http://www.ceasefuneralhome.com.