William (Bill) Dodson Akin age 73, passed away on March 2, 2019. He is proceeded in death by his father William Fletcher Akin, and his mother Sara Dodson Stanford, both of Nashville TN. Bill was a 5th generation Tennessean living in the same Hermitage area as his great, great grandfather, Timothy Dodson, who settled in Hermitage in 1806.
Bill is survived by his sister, Susan Akin (Ray) Basham, a best friend Debbie Witt, a first cousin Tim Morgan, Olympia WA, as well as a very special group of loyal and hardy car enthusiasts from across the country.
Bill was born in Washington D.C. but lived his entire life in Hermitage. He graduated from Donelson High School, and attended MTSU. For the biggest part of his adult life, he worked for Nashville Machine Co, and then as a consultant in Campus Planning for Vanderbilt.
Bill’s greatest love was automobiles of all kinds, but primarily vintage Indianapolis 500 roadsters. As a teenager Bill listened intently to the Indy 500 races on the radio, and it inspired him to find, and restore 4 of those cars to 5 separate years of their racing glory. All 5 restorations have raced again, at Legends Day on the Indy track just prior to the annual Indy 500. This was a much anticipated annual pilgrimage for himself and his friends.
Over the last 20 years, all 5 Indy roadsters were invited to The Pebble Beach Concours in California. There, at the most prestigious auto show in the US, Bill won his class 3 times, and placed second 3 times. That accomplishment is a very special acknowledgement of his skills and automotive knowledge.
While working on his cars and engines, he became one of only a handful of experts in the world on the Offenhauser engine and their restoration. The “Offie” is coveted today by collectors and vintage race car drivers everywhere.
A celebration visitation will be held at Mt Olivet on Wednesday March 6 from 5 to 8 pm. A second visitation on Thursday morning from 10 to 11 am, followed by a graveside service at Mt Olivet Cemetery
Active pall bearers: Tim Morgan, Ray Basham, Mark Lambert, Jim Galbreath, Joe Featherly, Ross Roberts, Jim Hagar, and Honorary : Joe Klinkhart, Jim McPherson.
Instead of flowers, donations may be made to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, 4790 W 16th St, Indianapolis IN 46222 Or the Dodson Chapel United Methodist Church, 4107 Dodson Chapel Rd, Hermitage TN 37076.
