Bennie Ray Atkins passed away peacefully on January 29, 2024 at the age of 97 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was a long-time resident of Slidell Louisiana before moving in 2023 to be closer to his son.

Bennie was born to Alice Modena (Franklin) Atkins and Victor Ray Atkins in Mount Pleasant, Texas on September 2, 1926. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1944. Following graduation, he served in the Army for two years during WWII. When he returned from the war, he earned his pilots license at a local airfield, taking flying lessons from pilots who had also returned from the war.

He married Nelda Fay Anderson in 1951 in Fort Worth Texas; they were married for 50 years until her passing in 2001. With Nelda's support Bennie graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1958.  During his career in aerospace, he worked at Boeing in Everett, Washington and Martin Marietta (Lockheed Martin) in Denver, Colorado and New Orleans. After retiring from Lockheed Martin, Bennie returned to his passion, flying, and renewed his pilot's license. He owned a Piper Cherokee 140 and some of his happiest days were spent sharing this passion with family and friends. Bennie was also an avid fisherman whether angling for salmon and steelhead in the northwest or redfish in the gulf.

Bennie was preceded in death by his beloved wife Nelda, a daughter Vickie Ann Atkins and his sister Margaret Marie Reep. He is survived by his daughter Phyllis Dianne Orner of Virginia and son Victor Ray Atkins of New Orleans, their spouses Timothy Orner and Evelyn Beven Atkins and 6 grandchildren: Jessica Nichols, Jared Cranfield, John Atkins, Jill Atkins, Beth Atkins and Kate Atkins. In addition, he leaves two great-grandsons: Sawyer Nichols and Jaylen Cranfield. Bennie will be remembered for his sense of humor, his love for his family, his compassion and his fighting spirit and tenacity.

Services will be held at Honaker Funeral Home, 1751 Gause Blvd West, in Slidell, Louisiana, on Monday, February 5, 2024.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon followed by the service at 2:00pm.

Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Slidell.