Willard T. (Bill) Akers III, passed away May 12, 2021 in Hixson TN. Bill was born in Roanoke, VA. He graduated from Tazewell High School, Tazewell, VA in 1987, from Hiawassee College and Bluefield College, and earned his Masters of Divinity degree from Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY.
Bill gave his life to Jesus at age 14 under the loving witness of the congregation from his home church, Pisgah United Methodist Church in Tazewell, VA. In 1992, God set him on a new path when he married the love of his life, Angela Duncan of Knoxville, TN.
In 1999, Bill was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. He faced his diagnosis with faith and joy, and took as his guiding verse, Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” He lived 21 full and joyous years past his diagnosis, and when the cancer returned in 2019, Bill continued to trust in this truth right up until the end.
He served faithfully and joyfully as a pastor in the United Methodist Church for 27 years. Bill was known for his abounding energy, his kindness and his joy. He loved singing, traveling, and playing basketball and golf.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Angela Akers of Hixson; his parents, Willard Akers Jr. and Linda Jean Tullock Akers of Tazewell, VA; his brothers, Rufus Akers and Timothy Akers of Tazewell, VA, and Robert Akers of Bluefield VA; and his sisters –in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles in Virginia, and Tennessee.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on May 23, 2021 at 3:00 PM at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Cleveland, TN, and on June 5, 2021, at 4:00 PM, at Pisgah United Methodist Church in Tazewell, VA.
In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a donation to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416, or Pisgah UMC, 1604 Pisgah Road, Tazewell, VA 24651 in Bill’s memory.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com
