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It is with a sad heart we report that our dad William E Akin passed away on February 23, 2022. He is at peace now with his beloved wife of 59 years Linna Mae Akin and parents and brothers who passed on before him. He is survived by his daughters Inez Morse (Lonnie) and Wanda Query (Rick) and his son Harold L Akin. He is also survived by four grandchildren Joshua Morse (Sheena), Sarah Dredger (Bobby), Kimberly Query and Joel Morse and seven great grandchildren Titus Morse, Easton Morse, Hunter Morse, Kianuwa Morse, Aria Mae Dredger, Jaxon Morse, and Ezekiel Morse.
William E Akin was born March 28, 1943 in San Diego CA. He proudly served in the United States Navy from December of 1960 until August of 1981. He enlisted in the Navy before he graduated high school and served one tour of duty in Vietnam where he almost lost his life when his patrol boat was shot out from under him and his men. Even though he and the others who served in Vietnam came home to boos and jeers, he never wavered in his love and desire to serve his country. Sometimes it seemed he was out to sea more than he was home.
During his time of service, he was awarded various medals and citations including Navy Achievement Medal (Combat V), Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Battle Efficiency Award-2nd Award, Fourth Good Conduct Award, Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal-4 Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Republic of Vietnam Merit Unit Citation-Civil Action Medal, First Class, Color with Palm.
He loved his family without question. I remember the time we as a family got our first chihuahua(s), he got the three of us kids together and told us to go talk our mom (wink, wink, he wanted a puppy) into letting us have one of the puppies, suffice it to say, we came home with two! Even as he was laying in his hospital bed after his stroke, he was asking about his dogs Remi and Lili. It made his day when they came to see him. Daddy is no longer suffering and he is at peace. Those he left behind will surely miss him but we can all rest easy knowing he is happy, pain free and with the wife he loved so dearly. I am not quite sure Grandma will know what to do with him, mama, and Uncle Charles all together again. Daddy as you tell others, Fair Winds and Following Seas as you cross the Bar. From us, Rest High on that Mountain Daddy!
The family is being assisted by Georgia Cremation, 7500 Veterans Parkway, Suite A, Columbus, Georgia 31909. The family invites you to leave a condolence or share a fond memory below.
Mary Lou Reed says
Bill, you had a rich full life. May your days now be filled with joy, knowing your with your loved ones and the comforting presence of God. May your earth family left behind, be at peace.
Britta Wilson says
Love this.
Judith Wilson says
For sure, it’s no telling what all Charles and Linna has gotten into, but I know the three of them will be together. Charles thought so much of Bill and would talk about him often. Will be 6 yrs March 1st. He told me he would be watching for me and he would wrap his arms around me and never let me go, oh what a glorious day that will be to see my Heavenly Father and Charles, I know Bill is complete now, because I know how he must of felt when Linna went to Heaven, I know you will miss him terribly, I pray that God will keep his arms around you all and heal your hearts! Love you all ———
Carlson Betty says
He will be missed bye meany… May he rest in peace .. love ya pops Betty Carlson and family
Paul Wayne Cagle says
Goodbye Chief Akin. I will never forget you and the time we spent together in Vietnam. God Bless.
David Clouse says
Ive served with and known a lot of Chiefs in my time in the Navy, Bill was one of the best. I have a lot of great memories of our time together in Vietnam. We met again in Sicily had dinner with family, Got lost going back to his ship, could see her but not a road to her went through a farmers field Bill found all the gates to get to the ship 4 of them at night had a good laugh over that. Will never forget him. rest in peace God Bless
Joshua Morse says
It’s been a little over three years, and I’ve finally found it in me to both read this man-among-men’s obituary and leave a message on it.
Papaw was far more than just a grandfather to me—he was an idol. A damn superhero who, as a child, seemed indestructible. Everything he said was worth more than gold, and as I progressed through life, his wisdom, knowledge, advice, and stories became the most valuable lessons I’ve ever received.
After every deployment—over three combined years of direct action combat—he became my literal lifeline upon returning home. Combat changes you profoundly, often in painful and lasting ways. Despite being surrounded by family, he was one of only two people who never judged me, never labeled me, never spoke ill of me. He truly understood—not just in theory, but in spirit—what war does to a man, and what it means to carry that weight home.
Despite being a man of few words, he spoke more truth than anyone in my life. As I approach retirement from service this year, his lessons still echo in my mind. I pray I have the ability to pass them on to my child and grandchildren with even a fraction of the effectiveness he had.
If more young men had a mentor like him, this world would be a better place—and I’ll die on that hill.
The most impactful lesson he ever taught me was this: in life, we have two choices when it comes to trauma—we either live as its victim, or we use it for growth, and pass its lessons to the next generation.
The next was just as powerful: Don’t worry about the opinions of those who haven’t walked through fire like you have—especially those who sat comfortably in the stands, forming opinions about things they could never truly understand.
He once told me how ironic it is that some people who claim to love you will see your post-combat changes and criticize you for being “lost” or “bad.” In the same breath they say “I love you,” they’ll cast judgment.
Papaw… Brother… You were more than just a man amongst men. You were a once-in-a-lifetime walking book of knowledge, a support system, and a mentor. You never sugarcoated anything. You shot straight every time. Your legacy will never die.
You never looked at the “what”—you always dove into the “why.” That’s where your understanding began.
Rest easy, my man. I’ll finish off the Guinness Extra Stouts for the both of us tonight.
Cheers.