The mission of The Father Bill Atkinson Scholarship Foundation is to provide scholarships to deserving students desiring an education at Monsignor Bonner High School/Archbishop Prendergast High School, who by their own means cannot commit to the financial responsibilities.
Bill’s Life – Father Bill (Willie) Atkinson grew up in Upper Darby, Pa., attended St. Alice Elementary School, and Monsignor Bonner High School, after which he entered the Augustinian Seminary.
In his second year of study, his novitiate year at Poughkeepsie, N.Y., a toboggan accident altered his course in life, left him with only movement in his shoulders, but did not diminish his hope of becoming a priest. With the support of the Augustinian Community, and his family, Father resumed his studies at Villanova University.
After completion of his college courses and seminary instruction, he was ordained a priest on February 2, 1974, the only known ordained quadriplegic. His ministry took him back to his alma mater, Monsignor Bonner, where he taught for thirty years, before his death on September 15, 2006.