Billy "Red" Hildred Atkins

Billy Hildred Atkins, born February 5, 1927 in Davenport Oklahoma to Polly Hoskins Atkins and William Atkins passed away January 24, 2011. Billy, as he was known to most, lead an amazing life characterized by a long list of accomplishments to his credit. He went to school in Oklahoma until the family moved to the San Fernando Valley in 1943 where he completed his High School Education at Canoga Park High School in Canoga Park, California

Starting his working years as a cement layer in Porter Ranch he was involved in many projects including erecting the Temporary Classrooms at William S. Hart High School where all three of his children attended and graduated from High School. The same temporary buildings served as classrooms until the summer of 1975 after the youngest of Billy’s children had graduated from Hart High. He worked for several Oil Companies working in Coalinga and Newhall California achieving a Supervisory position before leaving the oil industry in 1957.

In 1957 Billy joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department starting as a Boot Fireman in Lancaster, California. Over the next several years he worked in several different LA County Fire Facilities eventually reaching the position of Engineer. Billy worked his longest fire assignment at Station 73 in Newhall, California. While working for the Fire Department he operated major earth moving equipment, clearing and building firebreaks and access roads while also supervising Adult inmates at the several Fire Camps operated by Los Angeles County. Billy developed some health problems which led him to retire from the Fire Services in 1969.

From 1969 to 1972 Billy held a management position with Holden Pest Control in Glendale, California working with former William S. Hart High School Head Football Coach Dave Holden. A lifelong friend of Dave Holden’s, Billy turned his support into action by becoming a charter member of the Hart High Booster Club when Mr. Holden was the Head Football Coach. Then working with individual students as a track and field coach and also coaching Girl’s Softball Teams.

He was in the Military Services drafted into the U.S. Army Infantry to support WWII in 1943, continued in the Air National Guard – Reserve forces from 1946 to 1971. He was called into active service for the Korean Conflict (1951) and the Cuban Crisis (1961). Billy became full Air Force Reserve in 1962 and began a second career as Chief Loadmaster for the U.S. Air Force which allowed him to travel all over the world. He was all over Europe, South America and the Pacific Rim retiring in 1971 during the Vietnam War.

A member of several Masonic Organizations, Billy contributed many hours of time and talent to the Blue Lodge, Old West Shrine Club, Koppers and Jesters. Billy was active in many major events for the Al Malikah Shrine including the Food Services at the annual Shrine Circus. All the proceeds from the Circus is one of the major supports of the Shrine’s Children’s Hospital.

His wife Joan M. Atkins survives Billy along with a daughter Nancy Atkins-Klein and her spouse Joe Derryberry and grandsons Erik H, Klein, Richard A. Klein and Grand-daughter-in-law April M. Klein, and great-grandson Harrison Phoenix Klein. Son BJ Atkins and daughter-in-law Jeanine Atkins with their children Grand Daughter Holly L. Atkins, and grandsons John and Joey Bravo and the youngest Son Dusty J. Atkins and spouse Mark Sheard with their children Juan Miguel, Shetara and Sebastian Sheard. He will also be missed by a large extended family.

Funeral Services are planned for 2:00 pm Sunday, January 30, 2011 at South Valley Church 24551 Valley Street, Newhall California.

Arrangements under the direction of Eternal Valley Memorial Park Mortuary, Newhall, CA.