William Atkin

William Henry Lonsdale Atkin, 52, of Lake Barrington, IL, died suddenly at his home on January 11th, 2016. Bill was born December 16, 1963 in Durham, England to Arthur Oliver Atkin and Raynor (Traube) Atkin. He graduated Oak Park River Forest High School in 1981 and earned his B.A. in Political Science at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Bill married Laura Anderson, his high school sweetheart, in 1992. He was a devoted and caring father to their three sons, Christopher (20), Charlie (14) and Nick (11). Together for almost 40 years, the partnership of Bill and Laura touched the lives of thousands of people through their hospitality and generosity. Their home was and is open to the many friends and relatives who love them.

A self-employed business owner, Bill started his own company in 1985, Ridge-Land Roofing and Construction. His attention to detail resulted in high quality artisan work which provided him opportunities to work on the beautiful architectural houses built by Frank Lloyd Wright and E.E. Roberts throughout Oak Park, River Forest, Riverside and Hyde Park.

With the help of his many friends Bill rehabbed their 1890 Victorian home in Oak Park which was Bill and Laura’s first home and later, completely remodeled their current home in Barrington, IL, where they’ve lived and raised their children since 2001. While growing his business and raising his family, Bill spent time as an on-call firefighter for the Barrington Countryside area. Bill and Laura were dedicated hockey parents for all three boys.

Bill kept watch over his sister, Henrietta Atkin, and adored his two nieces, Marina (13) and Sophia (10). Making sure to keep his extended family close, they shared holidays and vacations together.

Bill knew how to enjoy life and lived every moment like it might be his last. His hobbies were many and included winter sports of skiing, snowmobiling and skating. His love of the snow was only surpassed by his love of the water. A boat owner since the age of 16, his children learned to love being on the water and could row, paddle and pilot a boat before they were old enough to drive a car. Bill attended the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City, Michigan, where he further developed his mariner skills learning to pilot the 1,000 foot freighters on the Great Lakes.

Bill made friends wherever he went and his generous and hospitable nature meant he never knew a stranger. Bill left behind his wife and children, his sister and nieces, his Father and Mother in law, Ed and Ann Anderson, his sister in law and brother in law, Ruth (Anderson) Parks and Paul Parks with nephews Ryan and Matthew and his brother in law and sister in law Erik and Londa Anderson and nephews Elliot, Isaac, and Corban. He was preceded in death by his Mother, Father and Aunt Lesley.

Any funds given to Laura will be deposited in a Memorial Account on behalf of the children.