Flavil Leon “Bud” Atkins, 82, of Valley Head, passed away Friday, December 2, 2022. He was born January 12, 1940 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to the late Aubrey Leon Atkins and Nora Lee Hurst Atkins. He was a veteran of the United States Army. Mr. Atkins was a hard worker and enjoyed life and making people laugh. He was known by many as “PawPaw”. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren and was their biggest fan in all their activities. Recreational aviation became his favorite hobby and he received his pilot license. He was a member of EAA and supported the Young Eagles Program. He also enjoyed camping at Lake Guntersville State Park.
A family member wrote this about him: “Bud lived a lawless life like the Wild West. He lived by his own rules. He did what he wanted, how he wanted. He was truly a free man. He made life interesting and loved to argue just for the sake of it. He loved to camp and reminisce on his days flying. He loved his family more than anything and was always the person to call when you needed a hand. He was a fixer and a helper. Known to his kids and grandkids as Superman.”
He is survived by his daughter Tammy Cooper (Randy); son Steve Atkins (Patty); grandchildren Zac Cooper, Cody Atkins, Andrew Cooper, and Casey Bradberry; great-grandchildren Kailyn Cooper, Aiden Cooper, Ivey Atkins, Jhett Atkins, and Addison Bradberry; brothers Al Atkins and Randy Atkins; and sister Mickey Atkins.
He was preceded in death by his son Greg Atkins, brothers Bil and Tommyl Atkins, sisters Helen Slaton and Dorothy Atkins, two infant siblings, and an infant great-grandchild.
To honor his wishes, the family plans to have a private service at a later time.
Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory of Fort Payne is in charge of arrangements.
