William C. AKERS

William C. AKERS obituary, Boca Raton, FL

William C. AKERS

William AKERS Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Oct. 16, 2013.

News Death Notice

AKERS, William C. "Bill" 88, died peacefully at his home in Boca Raton, Florida on October 13, 2013, with his wife of 64 years, Mary, at his side. He was one month shy of celebrating his 89th birthday. Son of James Scott Akers and Esther Whitt Akers, he was born in Ironton, Ohio on November 18, 1924, the sixth of ten children in a family of very modest means. His father died when Bill was ten years old. From the age of eight, Bill worked various jobs from delivering newspapers and selling magazines to setting pins in a bowling alley. He was a short-order cook and washed dishes at a local restaurant - anything to help his poverty-stricken family survive the Great Depression. He attended public schools, graduating from Ironton High School in June 1943 as the Valedictorian of "Shop Class." Bill proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 - 1945. He was assigned to the Southwest Pacific during World War II with the 5th Amphibious Corp. In advance of an island invasion, he was dropped behind enemy lines to survey enemy gun positions and remained hidden in place to function as a forward observer during the island beach assault. After being discharged, Bill moved to Middletown, Ohio where he worked nights as a laborer at Armco Steel while attending Miami University School of Arts & Sciences from 1946 to 1949. He then married his devoted companion, Mary E. Smith on August 27, 1949. He completed his college education with 8 years of night school, taking business courses at University of Dayton. Bill earned Advanced Management Degrees from Purdue University's Krannert School of Management and from the Harvard Business School. He started his distinguished career in the packaging business at Inland Container Corporation in Middletown, Ohio, in 1949. At the age of 39, he resigned as Sales Manager of Inland Container Corporation to start his own company, Akers Packaging Service, Inc. on October 7, 1963. With Bill's vision, leadership and single-minded dedication to customers, Akers Packaging has grown to be named a "Greater Cincinnati Top 100" privately owned business and is a leading independent corrugated packaging company in the United States. Based in Middletown, Ohio, the Akers Packaging Service Group has 8 converting plants located in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Bill had numerous investments outside of Akers Packaging, including The Crystal Tissue Company, Crystal Creative Products and Saratoga Board Mills. With business partner, Perry Thatcher, he owned Ample Industries and the historic Manchester Inn in Middletown, Ohio. He was also an investor in various real estate ventures and the Shaker Run Golf Course. Active in community service, Bill served on the Board of Directors of: The Mid Miami Valley Chamber of Commerce; The Middletown United Way; The Middletown Rotary Club; Middletown Junior Achievement; Middletown YMCA; Middletown Regional Hospital; Bank One of Middletown, Ohio; The Fibre Box Association, Chicago, Illinois; and The Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC) Washington, D.C. He was a founding member of the International Corrugated Paper Foundation and the Middletown Community Foundation. In addition to being an active member of the Board of Directors, Bill served as the President of The Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC), The Middletown Rotary Club, The Middletown YMCA, and Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce. Recognized as a distinguished leader in his industry, he was named to the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters Hall of Fame in 1989 and twelve years later he became the thirteenth inductee into the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation's Circle of Distinguished Leaders. In 1991, Bill was honored as the recipient of the Community Service Award from the American Legion. Also in 1991, Bill and Mary Co-Chaired a successful Capital Campaign for Miami University - Middletown and endowed the William C. and Mary E. Akers Scholarship. In 2002, Bill and Mary facilitated the creation of the new Bishop Fenwick High School in Middletown, OH with their gifts of land and cash. Bill and Mary loved travelling and spending time with their extended family. They generously treated the entire family to trips throughout the world. These provided cherished memories that they reflected on frequently. The couple spent their later years in Boca Raton, Ohio. Bill enjoyed movies and was an avid reader of books, newspapers and periodicals, closely following current events. He was a life-long season ticket holder of the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals and Miami University Football. Bill will always be remembered for his hard work ethic, gregarious personality, warm infectious smile and the twinkle in his eyes. He was known and admired for his honesty and integrity.

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Sign William AKERS's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

October 22, 2013

Dan Bailey posted to the memorial.

October 21, 2013

Tony Katrus posted to the memorial.

October 20, 2013

Someone posted to the memorial.

Dan Bailey

October 22, 2013

Jim & family,

Sorry to hear of the passing of your father.
The life story in the Journal told the story of
a great man.

Tony Katrus

October 21, 2013

So sorry to hear about your loss. I'm keeping the whole Akers' family in my thoughts and prayers.

October 20, 2013

Mary, our sympathies go to your family. I don't know if you remember me but rumor has it that you used to babysit for us and, I, in turn, babysat for your children. Bill was a very generous man to FHS.

Bob and Helen Fiessinger Lampke

October 18, 2013

To the Akers family, we at Palmer Temps would like to send our condolences on the loss of Mr. Akers. He has made many contributions to this community and has built sustaining relationships with local companies like ours. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

Stan Bernard

October 18, 2013

My memories of "Bill" go back to 1963 when I was the customer service representative for Hankins Container. I had daily conversations with Betty Yelton and the Akers team. During the ensuing 50 years I followed the successes of Akers Packaging under the leadership of Bill. I admired his business acumen and drive to succeed. God Speed!
Stan Bernard

Patricia Trotta

October 18, 2013

I was very impressed with the life story of this wonderful man. Would love to read a biography of his early years. A life well lived. My heart goes out to the Akers family.

Eli Komnenovich

October 17, 2013

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

angela and tom retzios

October 17, 2013

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. What a wonderful man and a beautiful obituary. May your memories carry you through these days.

Staffmark

October 17, 2013

To all of the many friends and family members of Mr. Akers, you are in our thoughts and prayers. We've heard nothing but outstanding things about him & know he was a special person to our community.

jeff gayhart

October 17, 2013

the family so sorry for your loss ,bill give me a job 20 yrs ago and forever changed my life the akers family has been good to a lot of us ,bill and jim may god bless you both and your family in this time of need

suzanne muzzarelli

October 16, 2013

Mary and family, I was so sorry to hear the sad news of Bill's passing. He was a wonderful man-so kind and so thoughtful!!
My prayers go out to you and yours.
Suzy Muzzarelli

Mark Evans

October 16, 2013

Mr. Akers was a great man. He touched many lives with his kindness and generosity. He gave everyone he met a chance for a better life. He will be sorely missed. Our deepest sympathy to Bill's family and friends. May God give us peace and strength.

Kris Pyles-Sweet and Family

October 16, 2013

Prayers to the family

Debbie Newman-Leever

October 16, 2013

So many fond memories of time spent at the Akers home growing up. I am so sorry for your loss, he was a good man

October 16, 2013

so sorry for your loss . May the God of all comfort be with your family. Isaiah 61:2

Karen Roark

October 16, 2013

Mr. Akers was a fine man and i knew him from Dr. C.L. Ortman's office. I worked there. I remember him telling me about a family trip coming up and i said "can you adopt me" he laughed and said sure. I told him that he and his wife were amazing and he was so kind and laughed all the time. always a smile. I can never pass his house on Rosedale and not think of him and Mary. God Bless The Akers family.

Keith & Pam Singleton

October 16, 2013

Dear Mary and Family,
Please accept our sincere condolences, upon Bill's passing.
He was a devoted family man, unpretentious gentleman, benevolent citizen, astute business professional and patriot. Many people and families have benefited from the success and benevolence of the Akers family and organizations, through the years.
We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to know and be associated with Bill and the Akers family.
Blessings and sincere regards,

October 16, 2013

Bob bailey-Akers Packaging employee Middletown ohio 1999 till present

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Kraeer Funeral Home and Cremation Center

1353 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 334322833

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Sign William AKERS's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

October 22, 2013

Dan Bailey posted to the memorial.

October 21, 2013

Tony Katrus posted to the memorial.

October 20, 2013

Someone posted to the memorial.