Billy Ray Atkins:
Loving Dad and Granddad, Billy Ray Atkins, 84, of Richardson, TX, died on Monday, 12/11/2017, at 1:38pm. He is preceded in death by his mother, Anna Bell McGrew, his father Raymond Atkins, and both of his sisters, Patsy Fern Lederman, and Barbra Joy Baird. He is survived by his daughters Kimberly Atkins of Austin, and Kelly Atkins and her husband Kevin Hall of of Austin, Texas, Debra Atkins and Caylene Caddell of Lubbock, Texas, Donna Atkins Gilbert and her husband Anthony Gilbert of Plano, Texas; grandsons Coleman Gilbert of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Travis Gilbert and his wife Shayla Gilbert of Plano Texas, and their daughter–his great granddaughter four-year-old Olivia Gilbert, and many loving friends, nieces and nephews, cousins and other family. He grew up in Addison and Richardson, TX, and attended Henderson County College and McMurray College in Abilene, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame. His career was in Richardson Independent School District first as a teacher and coach, having been Football Coach at Richardson High School.  As High School Principal, he presided over the opening of the new JJ Pearce High School then moved into administration in the RISD, serving as Assistant Superintendent of Co-Curricular Activities where he led several departments including the district’s athletic program until his retirement. He was a member of the Democratic Party and supported many charities throughout his lifetime including Mercy Ships (mercyships.org) and Smile Train (smiletrain.org). He touched many lives with his generosity and guidance, and his staunch belief in justice and equality for all people, especially the poor and those impacted by racism and classism, inspired his daughters and helped shape each their worldviews. He was an athlete who loved golf, sports, and science, and was moved by all kinds of music. He loved helping people, building and maintaining friendships, and spending time at Lake Travis on the water. He was loved and is still loved by his family and many devoted friends. Services will be at Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery in Dallas, on Saturday December 16, 2017 at 2:00 P.M.