Norman Glen Atchley

Norman Glen Atchley, 87, of Fayetteville, Ark. left this world and joined his Heavenly Father at 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2019. Glen left this world and joined his Heavenly Father. Glen was a quiet man who lived an exceptional life. He was born at home in Oak Grove, AR to the parents of Raymon and Bessie Atchley on a hot day on July 20, 1931. He was the middle child and only son. Glen graduated from Green Forest High School where his mother was a teacher and his father owned and operated a small-town grocery store. Glen had a love for airplanes and knew he wanted to study engineering. He moved to Siloam Springs to attend John Brown University. He worked while studying architecture and aeronautical engineering. One of his work-study programs provided him an opportunity to help design and build John Brown Cathedral. Not only did Glen work and study, but he traveled to various states as a member of JBU Choir. During this time, he met Mary Francis Stephens who was working her way through school as a cook. Glen kept going back through the line for some more of her biscuits and gravy. Mary and Glen dated and later married in 1952 as Glen worked to finish school. On March 3, 1953, Glen and Mary were blessed with their first child, Glenda Sue. In 1954, Glen graduated and was later drafted in the Army and sent to Maryland and then to the Redstone Arsenal to support efforts to improve the missile launching portion of the B52 Bomber. Glen and Mary moved to Wichita, Kansas where Glen started his first aircraft engineering position with Cessna. On August 11, 1955, they had their second child, Michael Dean. While working and caring for his growing family, Glen started work on their family home. Never one to be in debt or owe anyone anything, he saved his money and steadfastly built a home that would serve his growing family. On August 21, 1957, they were blessed with their third child, Gayla June. Glen and Mary experienced "urban renewal". Glen had just finished building his family's home, and he was not ready to agree for the city to take it. He represented himself in every effort to keep the city from taking his home. Glen lost his case with the city, but it was an opportunity to demonstrate his frugality and ingenuity. He sold his land but made sure that the city would never have another home on that land. Instead, the city built a "Glen Park" which parents and children enjoy still today. Glen bought his family home back on auction from the city for a dollar, and he moved that home to Derby, Kansas where it stands today. Glen spent 20 years at Cessna and later worked at Lear Jet and finally Boeing. He left Boeing in a decision to spend time with his family. During his time in the aircraft industry, he designed various aspects of different airplanes and never lost his love for flight. In his lifetime, he owned a couple of airplanes and enjoyed piloting these. However, he always dreamed of being his own boss. He would turn this dream into a reality when he ventured into real estate. Together, Mary and Glen owned, managed and operated one-hundred apartment units. After more than 20 years in real estate, Glen retired and left Kansas to return to Oak Grove, Arkansas to live near his parents. Mary and Glen built a beautiful life together for more than 50 years until Mary passed away on October 19, 2002. After Mary died, Glen lived the life of a bachelor for the next year. He met Susie Jane Steele who had been a widow for more than 7 years. They fell in love and married on November 20, 2004. They had over 14 lovely years together. Glen wrote Susie a love note on the day they married, and he told her "God had provided for him by sending Susie". He told Susie "she had filled a big void in his life". Glen was right: they had a happy life and enjoyed a lot of good times. if they woke up and decided to go to Branson, visit friends or stay at home then this is what they did. And, whatever they did they were together, happy and enjoyed their companionship. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Mary Francis Stephens Atchley; his father and mother, Raymon and Bessie Atchley; and his older sister, Joyce Meador. Glen is survived by his wife of 14 years, Susie Jane Collins Steele Atchley; his three children and two stepsons: daughter, Glenda and Charlie Phillips of Bella Vista, AR, son, Michael Atchley and Stephanie Wiles-Atchley of Eureka Springs, AR, daughter, Gayla and Albert Coccetella of Derby, KS, son, Bob and Suzy Steele of Fayetteville, AR and son, Jim and Melinda Steele of Elkins, AR; younger sister, Ramona Nance of Green Forest, AR; 16 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a host of friends. He will be sorely missed. Services to honor the life he lived will be held on Monday, May 19, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Zion Christian Union Church at 4984 W. Wedington Dr, Fayetteville, AR. Graveside services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Hale Cemetery in Oak Grove, Ark.. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 18, 2019 at Beard's Chapel. The family has asked, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Zion Church Building Fund, 6188 W. Persimmon, Fayetteville, Ark. 72704. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.