William Houston "Bill" Ackerman Jr.

Bill Ackerman, 78, departed this earthly realm on November 1, 2023. He was born August 6, 1945, in Cleveland, Ohio to William and Margaret Ainslie Ackerman, both deceased. Bill grew up and attended school in Orange, Ohio where he played high school football and was team captain for the Lions. Sports were an enormous part of Bill's life, playing football and basketball. He loved family hunting and fishing trips, and water sports. Bill graduated from Orange High School in 1964, and then went on to college attending Ashland University of Ohio. He was active in Circle K (Kiwanis), holding a state board position as well as serving on campus. He loved his dorm counselor role having fond memories of friendships made there. It was while at Ashland where he met his wife, Michele, and after graduating in 1968 with a B.S. Business degree, they were married and have had 55 wonderful years together.
Bill began his career in 1968 in the heavy construction equipment industry, concentrating on governmental sales. Work was one of Bill's passions, known as the honest and reliable salesman – extremely true to his word. Another passion was playing racquetball, he loved to win and was a fierce competitor. In 1972, Bill and Michele were blessed with a daughter, Jenni. In 1976, they moved from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Concord, California, and on to Saint Louis, Missouri, returning to Tulsa in 1980, feeling happy to be "home again". In 2001, Bill endured a severe stroke and remarkably recovered enough to enjoy the next 20 years of early retirement. In 2009, Bill and Michele retired to Yukon, Oklahoma to be near Jenni, Daniel Shelton (husband), and Hayden and Roman Shelton (grandsons). While in Tulsa, Bill served his Lord at Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church as usher, elder and head of many committees. When retiring to Yukon, his home church became Messiah Lutheran Church. In the past few years, Bill's leisure time was spent cheering on the OU Sooners, enjoying fellowship with his small group bible study friends and, above all, spending precious time with grandson, Roman, his best buddy.
Bill will be deeply missed by his friends and entire family: Sister, Nancy Frederick, Husband, Nick Sr., Niece, Jacqueline Frederick – all of Lakewood Ranch, Florida. Niece, Barbara Hinckley, Husband, Jon, and children: Jenna Snow, Husband, Blake, Jake and Jadyn – all of Edmond, Oklahoma. Nephew, Nick Frederick Jr., Wife, Melissa, and children: Lauren, Brooke and Kate – all of Scottsdale, Arizona. Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Bruce Ackerman, whose wife Kathy, continues to reside in Edmond, Oklahoma. Cousin, Bill Stewart, Wife, Linda – of Chino Hills, California.
In honor of Bill's Memory, donations may be made to the ongoing missions of: Messiah Lutheran Church, 3600 Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112.
Viewing will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Funeral Services will be held at the the Messiah Lutheran Church on Wednesday, November 8th, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Yukon Cemetery.