Leon William Atchley Sr.

William Leon Atchley, Sr., 77, passed away just as he lived, quietly. He went home to be with our Lord and Savior on October 10, 2009 at his residence. He was born in Bradley County on June 5, 1932 and lived here all his life except for the years he spent in serving his country in the United States Air Force. He was a 1951 graduate of Bradley Central High School. He was retired from Combustion Engineering after 31 years and from Bradley Memorial Hospital Hospice after 10 years where he served as the Volunteer Coordinator. After accepting Jesus Christ as his Savior during his teenage years, he regularly attended church and was ordained as a deacon at Candies Creek Baptist Church many years ago. For over 25 years, and until his passing, he was an active member of Westwood Baptist Church. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He never met a stranger and always enjoyed making new friends, good conversation and a good practical joke. He was an avid Atlanta Braves fan and for several years after retirement brought season tickets for their spring training, which is held in Disney Wide World of Sports in Kissimmee, FL. He loved Bradley High School and their athletic programs and spent several years actively involved in the former Loyal Bears Fan Club. He was also a devoted Tennessee football fan and always had a reserved seat in front of the television to watch them play. He loved to travel and had visited all fifty states, five provinces of Canada and several places in Mexico. He served in the United States Air Force for four years and got to visit several European countries. He enjoyed camping and made lots of friends doing so. As a young man he was an avid quail hunter. He was preceded in death by his parents, William (Bill) Hooper Atchley and Elsie Wanda Bowlin Atchley. He was also preceded in death by his in-laws, J.B. and Mazie Woody and brother-in-law, Perry Randall (Randy) Woody. Surviving are his wife of more than 52 years, Bobbie J. Woody Atchley; sons, Richard (Rick) S. Atchley and wife, Lisa of Chattanooga and William L. (Chuck) Atchley, Jr. and wife, Amy of Cleveland; three wonderful grandchildren who were the pride and joy of his life, Chanda L. Strickland and husband, Jimmy of Chattanooga, William L. (Will) Atchley III of Cleveland and Daniel R. Atchley of Knoxville; sister, Wilma D. Atchley of Cleveland; and brother-in-law, John D. Woody and wife, Matt of Seguin, TX. A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2009 at Westwood Baptist Church beginning at 2:00 p.m. with Harold Reno and Reverend Jimmy Caywood officiating. There will be no interment as he had donated his body to the University of Tennessee at Memphis Medical School. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Westwood Baptist Church Building Fund, 4001 Georgetown Road, Cleveland, TN 37312 or to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416. Arrangements are being made by Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Atchley family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.