William Robinson "Bill" Akers Sr.

William Robinson "Bill" Akers Sr. LEBANON, Va. William Robinson "Bill" Akers Sr., 88, went on to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Monday, Nov. 1, 2010, at Russell County Medical Center in Lebanon. Bill was born in Salem, Va., on Dec. 2, 1921, to the late John James "J.J." and Lillian Robinson Akers. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Bill lived most of his life in Russell and Washington Counties, and he was a member of Friendship Baptist Church, where he served over 30 years as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. Bill was the FHA supervisor for Russell County from 1956 to 1982 and also served many years on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by two brothers, Charlie and Rob Akers. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Margaret Broyles Akers; one son, Bill Akers Jr. and wife Cherie of Lebanon; one daughter, Patty Johnson of Newport Beach, Calif.; five grandchildren, Jeffrey Johnson and wife Julie; Tiffany Gates and husband Michael, Adam Johnson and wife Kim, all of California, Nathaniel Akers and Bethany Akers of Lebanon; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, John Akers and wife Jane of Salem, Va.; one sister, Clara Musick of Amarillo, Texas; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church with Dr. Jack Garland and Rev. Paul Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Church Cemetery where Gene Moser, Michael Gaultney, Tom Brown, Sheriff Fred Newman, Randy Sullivan and Harold Porter will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Barnhardt, Jack Martin, Junior Reed, Virginia Ferguson and Ron Balkcom. Military honors will be conducted by Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and Virginia National Guard Honor Guard. The family of Mr. Akers will receive friends at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010, from 6 until 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friendship Baptist Church, 35411 Love's Mill Road, Glade Spring, VA 24340; or Washington County Virginia Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 245, Glade Spring, VA 24340. The family would like to offer a special thank you to Linda Huffman, Sandra Hurd, Sandy Linkous, Thelma Walters and Shana Blankenship for the compassionate care they provided to Bill during the past year. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com The family of Mr. William Robinson Akers is under the care of Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 276-623-2700.