Phillip Payne Atkins' Obituary
Phillip Payne Atkins, born, July 24, 1959 in Fredericksburg, VA, passed away, November 14, 2025.
Phillip, known as ‘Phil’ or ‘Smoothie’ to most, grew up in Stafford, VA, and graduated from James Monroe High School in 1977, where he met his wife of 31 years, Kathleen O’Toole Atkins. After high school, Phillip attended the University of Richmond, graduating in 1981 with a BA degree in Economics, where he was an active member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.
He returned to Fredericksburg and learned his trade in construction, working with his uncle, Jesse B. Atkins (deceased). He formed his own construction company, Phillip P. Atkins Construction Co, Inc., beginning a career that spanned over 40 years building and renovating residential and commercial projects throughout the Fredericksburg area.
Phillip married Kathleen in 1994, welcomed their daughter MacKenzie Atkins Pope in 1995, and their son William Phillip Atkins in 1997. Phillip enjoyed sharing his love of travel with his family, and was very involved in his children’s activities.
Phillip remained active throughout his life, finding joy in many pursuits. He played racquetball in college, became a lifelong tennis player, skier, and most recently enjoyed the sport of pickleball. Phillip also loved spending time on Carter’s Creek, fishing and boating with family and friends, especially with his most recent first mate, Rudy Phillip Pope, his first grandson. When not on the water, Phillip often enjoyed taking his loyal Australian Shepherd, Piper, for golf cart rides around the neighborhood. Phillip always attended Mass with his family, and in most recent years devoted more time to his faith.
Most of all, Phillip cherished the time he shared with those he loved, and he was loved by many. Phillip was known by all as a dependable, incredibly hard working, quick witted, and devoted husband and father. Phillip worked tirelessly, his family always being his main priority. Everything he did was for his wife and two children, whom he loved endlessly. Whether you needed a job done, a competitive teammate in pickleball, or a good laugh, Phillip would be the first one to call. Not only was Phillip reliable, he was consistently 15 minutes early, which he prided himself in by often stating, “if you’re early you’re on time, if you’re on time your late.”
Phillip is survived by his wife, Kathleen O’Toole Atkins; a daughter, MacKenzie Atkins Pope and her husband, Darren K. Pope of Fredericksburg; grandson, Rudy Phillip Pope of Fredericksburg; a son, William Phillip Atkins and his wife, Abigail L. Atkins of Virginia Beach, VA; a brother, John W. Atkins, III; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John W. Atkins, Jr. and Phyllis L. Atkins.
Please join Phillip’s family for a visitation that will take place from 3:00-5:00 pm Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Fredericksburg. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am Monday, November 24, 2025 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Internment will directly follow at Oak Hill Cemetery for family members.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Mary’s Shelter or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
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