Bill Atwood

MATOAKA – William Howard “Bill” Atwood, 70, of Matoaka, died suddenly on Sunday, June 25, 2017 from injuries sustained in an accident. Born November 17, 1946 at Dott, he was the son of the late Hampton Atwood and Vera Graham Atwood Honn. Mr. Atwood served in the United States Army from 1964-1971 where he completed two tours in Vietnam and finished his service as a Sergeant. Most of his working days were spent as a coal miner and a construction worker. Often called “Wild Bill”, he was well known for his happy-go-lucky personality and for making people lighten up and laugh. He enjoyed life and was faithful to keep in touch with his family and friends through regular phone calls and visits. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Frank Honn; two brothers, Robert Lawrence Atwood and Hampton Leslie Atwood; one brother-in-law, Jim Beck; and one stepdaughter, Sherry Brown. Bill has a large family left to cherish his memory including his stepfamily that he thought of as his own. Survivors include his companion of 27 years, Marsha Howell of the home; two brothers, Keith Atwood and his wife Betty of Princeton and Rick Atwood and his wife Arlene of Lashmeet; three sisters, Roxie Hufford and her husband Hudson of Springfield, OH, Norma Beck of Eubank, KY and Debi Haney and her husband Barry of Grand Blanc, MI; one step-sister, Kathy Honn of Concord, CA; two sisters-in-law, Judy Atwood of Bluefield and Evelyn Atwood of Beeson; two stepsons, Adam Howell and his wife Heather and Jimmy Keffer all of Matoaka; three step-granddaughters, Alicia Howell and companion Alan Vest, Madison Howell, and Heather Brown; step-great-grandchildren, Allison, Chloe, Devin, Jaelynn, Avannah, and Eli; and mother-in-law, Helen Bailey all of Matoaka; Over twenty nieces and nephews and a host of extended family also survive. A funeral service will be at 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2017 at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel with Pastor Norman Mills and Brian Atwood officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard. Honoring Bill’s request the body will be cremated following the service with inurnment at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, Virginia. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, June 30 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Viet Nam Veterans of America, Chapter 628, P. O. Box 5295, Princeton, WV 24740. Arrangements by Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. To view a video tribute or send the family online condolences please visit www.bailey-kirk.com.

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Bill Atwood

November 17, 1946 - June 25, 2017