Bill Akins

Bill Akins, age 90, passed away on May 7, 2023.  A resident of Athens, TN, he is the son of the late Arthur and Nellie Pickens Akins.  Bill was a member of Wesleyanna United Methodist Church.  He received his BS degree with Honors from Tennessee Wesleyan College and received his Masters degree from Georgia Southern.  He also completed additional graduate studies at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.  He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Tennessee Wesleyan College.  Bill retired from Mayfield Dairy Farms and Tennessee Wesleyan College, where he also taught.  He served in the US Air Force during the Korean War and later in the Tennessee National Guard.
Bill was active in historical circles, serving as the former president of the McMinn Historical Society and former board member of the East Tennessee Historical Society.  He received the Ramsey Lifetime Achievement Award among others.  He authored, co-authored, and edited several books on McMinn County History.  He served on the TWC Board of Trustees and alumni association.  
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Una Fay Akins, his parents, Arthur and Nellie Akins, and his brother and sister-in-law, James Arnold and Ann Akins of South Carolina.  He is survived by his son, Terrance Lee of Riceville, his daughter and son-in-law, Tina and Michael Jenkins of Riceville, his grandsons, Brandon Durant Tullock (Laura) and Stephen Alexander Tullock (Bobbie), and his great-grandchildren, Júlia, Elitsa, and Martí.  He is also survived by sister, Wanda Davis of Athens, his brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Sandy Akins of Athens and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family will receive friends from 5 PM- 7 PM, Tuesday, May 9, 2023 before the funeral service at 7:00 PM in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Pastor Burt Beria officiating.  The interment will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Cedar Grove Cemetery.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tennessee Wesleyan University or Wesleyanna UMC care of Judy Bookout.  Those unable to attend may leave condolences at https://www.laycock-hobbs.com/obituaries/bill-akins