Roll Call Tribute

ROLLINS FUNERAL HOME obituary
1401 HUDSON ROAD, ROGERS, AR 72756 | 479-631-6617

Joseph Warren Atchison
August 3, 1927 - March 20, 2017

Visitation
Thursday, March 23, 2017 | 9:00 a.m.
Cross Church, Pinnacale Hills
2448 S Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, Arkansas
Driving Directions

Funeral Service
Thursday, March 23, 2017 | 10:30 a.m.
Cross Church, Pinnacale Hills
2448 S Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, Arkansas
Driving Directions

Joseph Warren Atchison, 89, passed away surrounded by his family on March 20, 2017, in
Franklin, Tennessee. "Joe" was born in Harlingen, Texas on August 3, 1927, to Mary Youree Atchison and Joe Bailey Atchison. After graduating from Brownsville High School in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving during WWII from 1945-46. In 1949, Joe finished a B.S. degree in Business from Texas A&M, and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. While pursuing business and attending First Baptist Church of Dallas, Joe answered the call to vocational ministry; but first, served his country once again as an Army Commander during the Korean Conflict. After returning from military service, Joe was married to Bettye Jane Winternheimer on May 3, 1952. Joe and Bettye began serving churches together in Marble Falls and Sweetwater, TX while attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees of Divinity in 1955 and 1973, respectively.

Joe's ministry as a pastor included Haltom Road Baptist Church, Ft. Worth, TX, First Baptist Church, McAllen, TX, First Southern Baptist Church, Glendale, Arizona and Southside Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Later, he served the Northwest Arkansas Baptist Association as Director of Missions in Rogers, AR, served as a Trustee on the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and was trustee Chairman of the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission for eight years.

Those who know Joe best, know that his pride and joy was not in achievements, but his family. He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved wife of fifty-five years. He will be missed by his brother Bill Campbell Atchison (Martha) of McAllen, TX, his three children: Deborah Ann Hammond (Geoff), Columbus, GA, David Warren Atchison (Elaine), Franklin, TN and Dawn Susan Keller (Rick), Franklin, TN. Joe was especially devoted to his eight grandchildren: David Blake Atchison, Nashville, TN; Joel Matthew Atchison, Ukiah, CA; Amanda Brooke Hanks (Jeremy), Brentwood, TN; Timothy Lewis Hammond (Megan), Columbus, GA; Nicholas Bailey Hammond (Lauren), Phenix City, AL; Richard Zachary Keller, Franklin TN; Rachel Danielle Keller, Franklin TN and Joshua Warren Keller, Franklin, TN, two great-grandsons: David Rainor Atchison, Nashville, TN and Abner Joseph Hammond, Columbus, GA, and a number of nieces and nephews and their children.

Joe Atchison leaves a rich legacy as an engaging Bible teacher and effective soul-winner; and poured his life into protecting the inerrancy of Scripture as an active leader in the conservative resurgence of the SBC. He will be remembered for his abiding patriotism, colorful storytelling, and lifelong loyalty to "his" Texas Aggies and Dallas Cowboys.