Clovis J. Atkinson, also known as Bill, was born on February 22, 1926 in Oklahoma. He was raised in Konowa, Oklahoma. When he was 12 years old, during the Great Depression, he moved to California with his mom, Naomi, dad, William and sister, Ramona. These were tough years to grow up in!! He finished school and graduated from Grafield High School in L.A. He was drafted in the Navy and spent time on the CVE-66USS White plains light aircraft carrier, loading bombs on F8F fighter bombers.

After serving 2 years in the Navy, he met Armetta Bell on a blind date. It was set up by Armetta’s girlfriend. It must have gone well because they were married about 2 years later. Their first home was across the street from the Flying A gas station that they owned. Bill worked long hours restoring and selling old cars as well as selling gasoline. Their daughter Kathleen and son Daniel were born at that time.

A few years later he sold the gas station and went to work for the rail road and became a rail road engineer. He bought a home in Downey, CA where they spenyt many happy years.

Bill was always interested in flying and airplanes since he was a little boy. He bought a piper tri pacer, restored it and later a Cessna 182 all metal great plane. Bill retired from the rail road at age 65. In May 2010 Bill and Armetta moved to Elizabeth, CO to be closer to their son Dan.

Bill is survived by his wife Armetta, Son, Dan, Grandchildren, Sean Basford, Jeff Basford, Kate Savage, Heather Dyer and Estee Atkinson

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