Biography: Jerome Hodges "Jerry" Atchley, 68, died Thursday, May 20, 2010 peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was the son of the late Reverend Clinton M. and Kathryn Atchley and was preceded in death by his sister Mary Theressa Atchley. He is survived by his extended family including Dr. Stephanie Simonton-Atchley, his wife of 27 years; four daughters—Kelly R. Emmes (David) of Irvine, CA; Jennifer Atchley Cochran (Jeff) of Laguna Niguel, CA; Rebecca Atchley Bartlett (Erik), of Dallas; and Jennifer Matthews Kidd (Lane) of Little Rock. He is also survived by his sister, Alta Jean Freppon of Little Rock; his brother, Clinton Atchley of Arkadelphia, as well as sixteen nieces and nephews, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Born October 7, 1941, in Thornton, Ark., Mr. Atchley graduated from Stuttgart High School and attended Hendrix College for two years before obtaining his bachelor’s degree in business from Southern Methodist University. Jerry had a life-long love of music. In college he was the lead singer in the band “The Exotics,” and wrote many of their songs. At the age of 21 he moved to New York City with dreams of becoming a rock and roll star. Working as a waiter by night, he roamed the Brill Building by day pitching his songs to anyone who would listen. He was the lead singer on a single record called “I Got Burned," and because he was from Arkansas, the record company changed his name to Billy Hill. The record was released but unfortunately the world was not yet ready for Billy Hill, so he found another way to have a successful career in music. He began selling musical programming to radio stations for PAMS in Dallas. His gift for sales led him to join and eventually share ownership of TM Productions, one of the nation's premium radio programming companies that he eventually sold to the Disney Company. In 1979 he realized his dream of returning to Arkansas and purchasing a radio station. He put KSSN 96 FM on the air in Little Rock. During his ownership KSSN received three Marconi Awards from the NAB, the radio industry’s most prestigious honor. Other national honors include Country Music Association awards and Billboard Radio Awards. He eventually added The Maverick in Little Rock to his company, as well as other radio stations in Memphis, Wichita, and Tuscaloosa. One of his proudest accomplishments was dedicating the strength of his number one station, KSSN, to many community events and charitable activities. KSSN was awarded the Corporate Humanitarian Award from the Office of the Governor in 1991. In 1997 he sold his radio stations which eventually became part of Clear Channel Communications. Jerry was a founding member of the board of directors of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute and served on the board throughout his life. As a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church he held numerous leadership positions, including Chairman of the Board of Stewards and most recently the Lay Leader of PHUMC. Jerry loved literature and grew up reading Stephen W. Meader books. When he found they were out of circulation, he pursued the Meader family regarding republishing Meader's work. He founded Southern Skies Publishing and republished Meader's entire collection of 44 books which are sold all over the country to people who share his passion for stories that span the history of America through the eyes of a boy. Jerry carried love in his heart and a whistle on his lips. He taught his children to treat everyone equally with warmth and great respect. He loved doing the laundry, cooking—especially his famous “in your face” chili—and most of all shopping with his girls. If they were indecisive about which dress to pick his answer was always, “get them both!” He loved the fact that he had a musical note tattoo on his ankle that he got for his 50th birthday—long before any of his daughters got tattoos. He loved great food and wine and enjoyed them even more while traveling the world with his beloved wife, Stephanie and their dear traveling companions. We are able to view the world through his eyes by means of his photographic works of art. He had his art on display at the Historic Arkansas Museum. He was also the family photographer for his friends and relatives for the important events of their lives. He loved all animals great and small, especially his raccoons, deer and birds that he fed in his backyard everyday. In his life he had the opportunity to be a race-car driver, a Ringling Brothers clown, an orchestral conductor and the best husband, father, brother, uncle, son, friend, and Papa on this earth. A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held at 2 pm Thursday, May 27, at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. The family will be having a private inurnment. Honorary Pallbears are; Dr. James Suen, Jim Long, Alan Box, Gary Edens, Charlton Buckley, Chester Storthz, Bob Robbins, Dero Sanford, Bob Ocken and his sons-in-law, David Emmes, Lane Kidd, Erik Bartlett and Jeff Cochran. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the Behavioral Medicine Program at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute which provides emotional support to Arkansas cancer patients or the Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Foundation. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. An online register book is available to sign at www.ruebelfuneralhome.com