Obituary of William J. Atchinson III

Cohoes – William J. Atchinson, III, 76, of Cohoes passed away at St. Peter’s Hospice, Albany on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, with his family by his side. Bill was born in 1946 to William and Catherine Atchinson. Growing up in Albany and Colonie, Bill graduated from Shaker High School in 1964, then attended Hudson Valley Community College. He met Bernice in 1965 and married in 1966. He joined the United States Marine Corps in March 1966 and proceeded to electronics school at MCRD, where he excelled and upon graduating, was kept there as an electronics instructor. Bernice traveled to San Diego to be with Bill and their son William IV was born there in December 1966. In September of 1967, 3 days short of being in the Marines for a year and a half and on his 21^st birthday, he was promoted to E-5. While expecting their second child, Bill received his orders for Vietnam in December 1967. He shipped out when Bernice was 5 months pregnant. Antoinette was born in May 1968. Bill never met or held her until March of 1969 when he returned from Vietnam and was discharged. Their third child Noelle was born in November of 1972. In May of 1969, three Marine Corps Officers arrived at the door of the Atchinson home and presented Bill with the Navy Commendation Medal with V device for Combat Valor for his service as a Radio Relay Chief in Vietnam during the war. Bill had a successful career with Xerox Corporation as a Customer Service Engineer. He retired in 2008 after 40 years of service. He is a member of American Legion Post 1450, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, Marine Corps League (Distinguished Service & Vice Commander). Bill has held numerous positions within the Veterans of Lansingburgh where he is a life member. He currently serves as the Vice President and is a long serving member of the Colorguard. In 2018 Bill received the Veteran of the Year award from the Friends of 112^th Street. He has also been the Vice President of the Cohoes Men’s Association for 35 years. Husband of 57 years to Bernice Giroux Atchinson of Cohoes, proud father of William (Lisa) Atchinson, IV of Alplaus, NY, Antoinette (Toni) Atchinson of Cohoes, and Noelle (Marsino) Zandri of South Carolina, grandfather of Samantha and Katelyn Atchinson, Adam, Alexander, and Bella Rozycki, and Marsino Zandri, Jr. Brother of Timothy (Linda) Atchinson and Cheryl (Dominick) Passaretti, also survived by many nieces and nephews.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 31, 2023, at 10:30am at St. Ambrose Church, Latham. Interment will follow in Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, NY. The family will receive friends at the DUFRESNE FUNERAL HOME, Inc., 216 Columbia Street, Cohoes on Sunday, July 30, 2023, from 2 to 4pm.