William “Bill” D. Athey, Jr., age 76 of Joplin, Mo. passed away suddenly on Friday March 9, 2012 at McCune-Brooks Hospital in Carthage, Mo.

Bill was born on April 6, 1935 in Joplin, the son of the late William D. and Dorothy Alice (Lillibridge) Athey. He graduated from Carterville High School in 1953 where he enjoyed basketball and football. After high school, Bill proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1958. Following his service, he worked for Empire District Electric Co. for 37 years retiring in 1995. Bill was baptized at the Carterville Christian Church in 1965, where he has been a member since. He enjoyed time with his family on the farm especially telling stories to his children and later his grandchildren. He also enjoyed raising Santa Gertrudis cattle.

Bill married Sonja Peterson on November 11, 1960 at Carterville Christian Church, she survives. Additional survivors include one son; Bill Athey and his wife Kathe of Granby, Mo., three daughters; Teresa Boyer and her husband Jim of Webb City, Mo., Renae Artym and her husband Tyler of Carthage and Darlene Norwood and her husband Lance of Carl Junction, Mo., one brother; Charles “Bud” Athey of Kansas City, Mo. and seven grandchildren; Christopher Harrison, Shaun Athey, Parker Athey, Brooke Artym, Kiley Artym, Lexi Deines and Leighton Norwood, and several nieces and nephews. Memorial services have been scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Tuesday March 13, 2012 at Carterville Christian Church, Gene Weece, Minister, will officiate. The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital in care of the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hedge-Lewis Funeral Home & Crematory.