FATHER WILLIAM EDWARD ATKINSON was born in 1946 in Philadelphia Monsignor Bonner High School Augustinian Academy , Staten Island , New York , and then entered the Villanova Province
Amazingly, he survived the accident, and following extensive rehabilitation, expressed his desire to continue as an Augustinian. He began again his novitiate year at Villanova, professing simple vows on July 20, 1970, and solemn vows on July 20, 1973. A care team of friars assisted Bill during his time in formation, and for many years beyond, as he moved about with the use of a motorized wheelchair. Bill completed his years of college and theological studies at Villanova, and with a special dispensation from (St.) Pope Paul VI, John Cardinal Krol ordained him to the priesthood at his hometown parish of St. Alice in Upper Darby , Pa.
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| Blessing by Pope (St.) John Paul |
He celebrated his first Mass at the Field house of Villanova University St. Joseph
He was known for his wonderful sense of humor, and was recognized as an excellent teacher, encouraging moderator, and compassionate confessor. Fr. Bill was the recipient of many awards and acknowledgements, among them an honorary doctorate from Villanova University
In 2004, Fr. Bill moved to the Health Care Unit of Saint Thomas Monastery at Villanova University Saint Thomas Church , Villanova University Calvary Cemetery , West Conshohocken, Pa.
On a quiet night in the middle of August, 2014, a group of twenty-five invited guests gathered at Saint Augustine Friary in Villanova, to meet with the Augustinian Postulator General. The agenda was simple, if unusual! Fr. Josef Sciberras had come from Rome
One after another, individuals told the stories of their relationship with Fr. Bill and made their case for his character, his virtue, his fidelity, his ministry, his humor, his humility, and much more. By evening’s end, Fr. Josef acknowledged that he was convinced. If canonization were only that easy! But it signaled the beginning. Fr. Josef ’s work was before him. There seemed to be sufficient reason to believe that a serious and formal look should be made into Fr. Bill’s life.
Questionnaires were distributed to those present, who were asked to take them home, fill them out, and return them to the provincial office, which, in turn, would send them off to the office of the Postulator at the Augustinian General Curia in Rome