Willard "Mac" Atkinson

POCATELLO - Willard "Mac" Atkinson, 64, of Fort Hall, passed away on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at a local care center. Mac was born on December 7, 1946, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Willard and Norma Atkison. He moved a lot as a child but his home was always Pocatello. He resided in Fort Hall for 35 years with his wife and children. He married Julie Ann Mills on July 18, 1970 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They have been married for over 40 years. Mac worked at S-n-H Fabrication Plant as a painter, sandblaster, and welder. He then worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for over 30 years as a carman. Big Mac loved trains. He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 16 and has been active ever since and loved to serve in the church. Mac loved to cook, fish, camp, and leatherwork. He also loved cats, dogs, music and to sing. Mac was a very kind and caring man. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. Mac's biggest interest and love was his family. Mac is survived by his wife Julie Ann Atkinson of Fort Hall, Id; daughter Michelle (Brian) Call of Ammon, Id; daughter Cheri (Denton) Okelberry of Idaho Falls, Id; son Jason (Kristy) Atkinson of Chubbuck, Id; mother Norma Rae Atkinson of Pocatello, Id; sister Maureen Kay Witham of Pocatello, Id; and 14 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father Willard Atkinson. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2011, at the Tyhee 44th Ward LDS Chapel. A visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2011, at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4th Ave, and also one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Burial will follow the funeral service at 3 p.m. at the Malad Cemetery in Malad, Idaho.