William Athel Emerson, 80, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Thursday, October 1, 2015 at St. Mary's Medical Center. He was born on March 24, 1935, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the son of the late Maxie Morris Emerson and Nora Belle Williams Emerson. He was married on April 6, 1957, in Hernando, Mississippi to Betty Jo Taylor who survives the home. He was a graduate of Jonesboro High School, received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Central Arkansas State, and a Master of Science Degree in Education Administration from the University of Missouri. Mr. Emerson's career was with the Jefferson Public Schools, serving as Principal at Simonsen from 1971 to 1987. He taught English and Social Studies from 1987 to 1992 when he retired. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. He loved to garden and enjoyed woodworking. Other survivors include two sons, Don Emerson, Rolla; and Kenneth (Sherry) Emerson, Jefferson City; two granddaughters, Amanda (Cody) Howell, Villa Rica, Georgia; and Kendra Emerson, Jefferson City; and two great-grandchildren, Emma Howell and Joseph Klempke. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Louis Emerson and Floyd Emerson, and three sisters, Maxine Goforth, Vaudine English, and Virginia Emerson. Visitation will be 2-5 p.m. Monday, October 5, 2015, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home. A committal service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 7, 2015, at Oaklawn Cemetery, Jonesboro, Arkansas. Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor's choice. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.