Obituary of William Athens

William C. "Bill" Athens was born April 16, 1952 in Tulsa the youngest of four children born to Everett J. and Mary (McMahan) Athens. He passed from this life suddenly on May 1, 2010 at the age of 58. Bill moved with his family to Rome, Italy in 1962 where he lived for 7 years, attending Notre Dame International School. After returning to Tulsa, he graduated high school from Cascia Hall in 1970 and attended the University of Idaho where he earned his B.A. degree in French. After working several years as a roughneck on an offshore drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico, he joined his father at Delphi International. Over the years Bill was involved in many oil and gas exploration projects throughout the United States and several foreign countries. More recently, through his company Afar Exploration, he devoted himself almost entirely to developing a hydrocarbon exploration prospect in the Afar region of Ethiopia, one of the most remote and inhospitable regions on earth. Bill was an avid bicyclist, fisherman, golfer, gardener and guitar player. Most of all Bill loved spending time with his two children at the family's cabin on the Lochsa River in northern Idaho and at a small ranch in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, also in Idaho. Bill is survived by his wife, Susan of Tulsa; son, William Alexander Athens of Missoula, MT; daughter, Christina Kemper Athens of Tulsa; his two brothers, J. Stephen Athens of Honolulu, Hawaii, and E. John Athens of Fairbanks, Alaska. He was preceded in death by parents and his beloved sister, Katy in 1962. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at St. Rita's Chapel on the campus of Cascia Hall School. A private family committal will be held in Idaho. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute in Bill's memory to Cascia Hall Preparatory School, 2520 South Yorktown Ave., Tulsa, OK 74114. Ninde Funeral & Cremation, Brookside Chapel 742-5556 www.ninde.com