Wilbur "Wil" Atchinson

Wilbur "Wil" Atchinson Resident of Alamo Wilbur Harold Atchinson, Jr. was born to Wilbur and Berniece Atchinson on December 20, 1927 in San Francisco, CA, and passed away on February 7, 2011 surrounded by members of his family. "Wil" is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Marilyn, his children Robin Grieger (Gary), Claudia See (Robert), and Alexis Atchin-son, his sister Laura Lyons, his grandchildren Clayton, Michael, Erin, Matthew, Jordan, and Allison, and his great-grandchildren Hailey, Savannah, Taylor, Hayden, Holden, Hunter, and Uriah. He will be greatly missed by his cousin Kenneth Edlin, and many relatives and friends who shared in his positive outlook and zest for life, his great sense of humor and storytelling, and his passion for football, classic movies, Lake Tahoe, travel, and world history. Wil grew up and attended schools in San Francisco including George Washington High School, SF City College, and the University of San Francisco where he played football under Coach Joe Kuharich. He spent many summers in Clayton, CA with his grandparents, who were descendants of pioneer settlers of Clayton, the Rhine Family. He was a veteran and served in the US Army. Wil married the love of his life, Marilyn Herrick, on June 3, 1949. After a successful career working in the wholesale appliance business, Wil branched out on his own and opened two automobile agencies, Atchin-son American in Pleasant Hill followed by San Leandro Chrysler Plymouth, retiring in 1995. He may be remembered for his advertising slogan, "Not the biggest, just the best". Wil served as the President of the Pleasant Hill Rotary Club, was a member San Leandro Rotary Club, and was an active Rotarian all his life. In retirement Wil enjoyed playing bridge and golf at the Orinda Country Club. Football was a passion that Wil, his wife Marilyn, and many friends shared over his lifetime. After playing football in high school and college, Wil continued his involvement by refereeing first at the high school level before moving up to the college ranks. He attended many super bowls, was an avid 49ers fan, and actively followed the various high school and college programs in the Bay Area. He also served on the Board of the San Francisco Chapter of the National Football Foundation for many years which raises money for scholar athletes. Wil loved life, his family and friends, and he will be greatly missed by all. A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at the Orinda Country Club. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Shriner's Hospital in Sacramento (2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento 95817) or the American Diabetes Foundation.

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