Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame
'Promoting fellowship and friendship among all musicians of the Wabash Valley'
HOF Founder Bill Akers
Musical Career
Bill Akers was an accomplished steel guitarist. His love was country music. He played in many well-known Wabash Valley bands, including the original and the new Midwest Playboys, the Ranch Hands, Danny Walker and the Road Masters, and Jerry and the Jokers, as well as many others.
Hall of Fame
Bill Akers was both a founder and an inductee of The Wabash Valley
Musicians Hall of Fame. Bill had been discussing the creation
of a Hall of Fame with other musicians for some time before he
joined forces with Alva Grindle to form the current Hall of Fame.
Nearly all of the rules and guidelines he had proposed for his
version of the Hall of Fame were adopted by the Hall of Fame that
he and Alva created.
The Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame is grateful to Bill for
his vision and his efforts on behalf of the Hall. We also
recognize him for his musical contribution to the Wabash Valley.
Bill was inducted into the Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame in
the Class of 1994.
Obituary
Bill L. Akers, 68, of Terre Haute died at 2:25 a.m. Tuesday, June 7,
2005, in Royal Oaks Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.
He was a custodian for Vigo County School Corp., retiring in 2001.
He also was a musician, playing with many country music bands throughout
the community during a 43-year period.
He was born Dec. 17, 1936, in West Terre Haute to Fred Akers and Leona
Lamb Akers.
Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Phyllis Knight Akers; one son,
Bob Akers and his wife Tricia of Indianapolis; three stepsons, Wayne
Parksey and his wife Phillis of Brazil, Gayle Parksey of Mattoon,
Ill., and Bruce Parksey and his wife Debbie of Manito, Ill.; two
daughters, Ruth Ann Akers Knauer, and Debbie Akers Drummy and her
husband John, both of Indianapolis; one sister, Norma Weatherman and
her husband Chuck of Terre Haute; 12 grandchildren; five
great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was a member of Wabash Valley Musicians Association. He was
inducted into the Hall of Fame and received many awards as a musician.
Before he became ill, he was an avid fisherman. He loved to hunt
mushrooms and enjoyed communicating with family and friends on his
computer.
Services are 11 a.m. Saturday in Mattox-Wood Funeral Home, with the
Rev. Buck Martin officiating. Burial is in Bethesda Cemetery in
West Terre Haute. Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral
home.
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Last update on 25 Apr 2017