Great Living Cincinnatians: Honorees

William Atteberry, 67 at the time he was awarded, was a native of Decatur, Ill. and a resident of Cincinnati since 1952. He was well known for his contributions to the success of Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc.

Early in his career, Atteberry worked as an engineer for the P.R. Mallory Co. in Indianapolis and co-founded Western Lead Products Co. in Los Angeles. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Southern California.

Atteberry joined Eagle-Picher in 1952 as an engineer. After serving as production manager, division manager and executive vice president of the company, he was named president in 1967. The following year he was named chief executive officer, and in 1977 he was elected chairman of the board, the position he held until his retirement in 1985. He continues his relationship with Eagle-Picher as director and as chairman of the executive committee.

Atteberry served on the board of trustees of the Boys Club of Cincinnati. He served Bethesda Hospital as a board member, board chairman, board vice chairman and committee chairman. He served as associate director of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation from 1979 through 1987 and also served as director of the organization, which distributes funds from gifts and bequests to meet philanthropic, cultural, scientific and educational needs.

He was a member of the board of directors of Eagle-Picher, The Fifth Third Bank, The Kroger Co., Empire District Electric Co. and Vulcan Materials Co. As a member of the Cincinnati Business Committee, he served as co-chairman of the Local Government Task Force.

Atteberry died April 9, 1997.