Newton Leslie Akers

Newton Leslie Akers, 88, of Childress, Va., was born on January 14, 1921, in Alum Ridge, Floyd County; and passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2010, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He was a long time employee of S.G. Wimmer & Son in Christiansburg, Va., until his retirement in 1987. Mr. Akers was also a highly decorated combat-veteran of the United States Army during World War II, receiving the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Good Conduct Medal. Newton nicknamed "Newt" by his friends and relatives was the son of the late Merritt and Pearl Akers, of Floyd County. He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters; infant brother, Edward Akers, Hestle Akers, Annie Akers Altizer and Hazel Akers Duncan. He also lost his beloved wife, Tressie Altizer Akers, in 1994. He was also predeceased by one son-inlaw, Billy Joe Paskowski. He was survived by a daughter, Sally Akers Paskowski, of Floyd, Va.; a son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Gina Akers, of Newport, Va.; grandchildren, Patricia Bugg and husband, Gary Bugg, of Pulaski, Va., Mandy and Andrew Akers, of Newport, Va.; great-grandchildren, Jamie Morgan, of Christiansburg, Va., Adam Bugg and Chance Bugg, of Pulaski, Va.; a brother, Junior Thomas Akers, of Christiansburg, Va.; sisters, Joyce and Marshall Shortt, of Newport News, Va., Mildred Pannell, of Charlotte, N.C., and Dorothy and Jim Rutter, of Floyd, Va.; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 8, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Horne Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2010, at Horne Funeral Home Chapel with Preacher Terry Hodge officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Christiansburg, Va. The Akers family is being served by Horne Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.hornefuneralservice.com.