Obituary
William Franklin “Bill” Akers; 92, of Lee’s Summit, MO passed away on June 6, 2024. Born at Fort Snelling, MN, to Lacy and Josephine, Bill’s life was dedicated to his family.
He was a loving husband of 45 years to his beloved wife, Pat, and devoted father to Cindi (Marvin) Langley, Lori (John Snow) Sydney, Lucin (Jim) Kiado Rebman and Anton (Becky) Kiado. He adored his grandchildren; Ashley, Emily, Austin, Blaise, Drake, Roman, Rixson, Tara, Brian, Kevin, Alan and Nicole and great-grandchildren; Austin Jr., William, Lydia, Juliet, Sebastian and Estelle. “Sonny” to his brothers and sister; he leaves Bob (Shirley) Akers, Dianne Pumphrey, Butch (Laurel) Hesley, and Jim Hesley as well as many nieces and nephews.
After serving in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, Bill returned to St. Paul, MN and worked in the carpentry shop at Hamm’s Brewing Co. and later for Western Electric in quality assurance for the Nike missile project. In 1957, he began work for International Telephone and Telegraph, spending 4 years in Alaska as an electronics supervisor maintaining the DEW line (Distant Early Warning Line, a collaboration between the Department of Defense and the Bell System companies). After his post in Alaska, he returned to the lower 48 and worked as an engineer on communications and airplane guidance systems in support of Strategic Air Command. He subsequently returned to Western Electric where he worked in microwave communications, at the Lee’s Summit facility until he retired in 1993.
In 1974, he began volunteering with the Telephone Pioneers to help restore and repair houses for people in need and later became director of the “CHARM” Shop (Children helped and Rehabilitation Motivated); a crew of Western Electric retirees who built no-charge physical therapy devices for children. Through the years, the CHARM shop supplied thousands of items to children with various physical challenges, through schools and agencies.
Bill’s generous spirit shone through in all that he did, devoting his time and innumerable skills to family, friends and neighbors. He was a charter member and secretary of the Lee’s Summit Woodworkers’ Guild, an amateur radio operator and active in the neighborhood association. Not only was he a “Jack of all Trades”, he was truly a “Master” of all. Electrical, woodworking, telecom, plumbing, painting, carpentry…the list is long. Bill was the go-to guy for family, friends and neighbors. Though seemingly tireless, he was known to “rest his eyes” after a full day of helping anyone in need.
As one of his dear friends wrote in recent days, he was a “blessing to many, an advocate and hero for the disabled and a true friend to all” who knew him. We were a very lucky lot to have had him in our life.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate his life at an open house on Sunday, July 21, 2024 12:00-3:00, at the family home.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Special Olympics or Wrestling MS.
Pat, I am very sorry for your loss. Please give me a call at 816 572 8671. I still have great memories about our cruise Espi and I took with you and Bill. Jim Porter
I am now living at John Knox Village.
In my short 13 years of living I have experience a couple deaths of family members and these times are so rough for all of us but we must stick together and pull through, Isaiah 57:1
The righteous perish and no one takes it to heart
The devout are taken away and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil
I know that this is incredibly hard for us all as he was a significant part in all of our lives
I didn’t know Bill very well, however the few times we did talk, I found him to be friendly and a real gentleman. My condolences to your family.
I worked with the Telecom Pioneers and had several contact with Bill and his background in “Western Electric”. I didn’t hear about his passing until today. I’m so sorry that I didn’t know earlier. I would have liked to see family members at the services and let them know how much we appreciated his work with the Pioneers.