William Derward “Bill” Akers, age 60 of Hudson, WI, passed away March 7, 2018, after a two-year battle with liver cancer.
Bill was born on May 20, 1957, in Casper, WY, to parents William S. and Doris (Thomas) Akers. Bill’s father worked for Conoco Oil, so his childhood was spent moving all over the world. He graduated from The American School in Switzerland (TASIS) and earned a Degree in Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. Bill was united in marriage to Antoinette Carlson on August 20, 1989, at Christ the King Cathedral in Lexington, KY, and the couple were blessed with two children, Laura and Stephen. Bill worked for 3M for many years as a Manufacturing Engineer, beginning his career in Lexington, KY, before moving to Eau Claire WI, Wrentham MA, and Sebastopol CA. The family moved to Hudson in 2009, with Bill retiring from 3M in 2015.
Bill’s greatest joys in life were his wife and children. Above everything else, he cherished his time spent with them. Bill enjoyed beekeeping, yearly golf trips with his closest friends, and carpentry. He built his chicken coop, several storage sheds, and several decks, among many other projects. He was also a gifted athlete. He was an advanced downhill skier from spending his high school years in Switzerland, and he was a four-time all-Big-Eight (now Big 12) rugby fullback during his years at the University of Oklahoma.
Bill will remain in the hearts of his wife of 28 years, Antoinette “Ann” Akers; children, Laura and Stephen; honorary brothers, Curt Coggins and Paul Rose; siblings, Philip Akers, John (Debra) Akers, and Margaret (Charles) Malson; and other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Doris Akers; and sister-in-law, Mary Akers.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Bill will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, at the St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1500 Vine St., Hudson, WI. A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment at the St. Patrick Cemetery Columbarium, Hudson.