James "Wiley" Atkinson

James "Wiley" Atkinson (Colonel USAF, Retired), 89, of Port Orange, Fla., formerly of Little Rock, Ark., passed away Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012 after a courageous battle against cancer. He served with dedication and distinction in the United States Air Force as a Navigator Bombardier for 31 years. During this period he obtained his Master Navigator Wings and was awarded numerous medals and awards including, but not limited to, the Airman's Medal, Air Combat Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Commendation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal. Wiley was a member of the Spruce Creek Golf Course and Daytona Beach Golf Course MGAs and a volunteer for AARP Tax Preparers. He enjoyed life, loved his family and friends, and was a generous and charitable man, donating to numerous charities. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, hunting, fishing, scuba diving and boating with family and friends. Wiley will be greatly missed by his wife, Ann Atkinson; children Olivia Cook and husband Donald of Hawkinsville, Ga., Sue Atkinson and husband, Tom Burk of Tulsa, Okla., Jim Atkinson and wife Paula of Scarborough, Maine, Tiffany Bigwitch and husband Bob of Palm Coast, Fla., Tara Phillips and husband Rich of Wilton Mannors, Fla.; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A memorial service in honor of Wiley will be held Aug. 18, 2012 at Hope Lutheran Church 594 North Williamson Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Fla. 32114 at 3 p.m. Arrangements are under the care and trust of Volusia Memorial Funeral Home, Ormond Beach, Fla.