Bill Joe Akers, 75, Raymore, Missouri, died Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at his home. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 22, 2012 at the Lee's Summit Bible Church, 1200 NE Colbern Road, Lee's Summit, MO 64086 (Tel. 816-524-7006; lsbible.com for directions). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the school athletic association of choice.

Bill was born February 15, 1937 in Reeds Spring, Missouri, the son of Elven and Pauline (Smythe) Akers. He grew up and graduated from high school in Branson, Missouri. His senior year of high school, they were state champs in basketball.

Bill received a BA from Drury College in Springfield, Missouri; a Masters degree in education from CMSU, Warrensburg, Missouri and a Doctorate EDD from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. Bill was a U. S. Marines veteran, serving from 1957-1959. He married Karen Kay Dame on August 11, 1962 in Warsaw, Missouri.

Bill's first teaching/coaching job was in Warsaw. He was the principal at Raymore-Peculiar High School from 1971-1980; Superintendent of Schools in Fayette, Missouri form 1980-1990 and Superintendent of Schools at Cass-Midway Schools from 1991-1994. Bill was an avid golfer and was a member of Twin Pines Country Club in Harrisonville, Missouri.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, J. B. Akers. He is survived by his wife, Karen Akers of the home; two daughters, Kristen Reese and husband, Bill, Fayette, Missouri and Heather Akers, Raymore, Missouri; two brothers, Edd Akers and wife, Karen, and Terry Akers, all of Branson, Missouri; one sister, Erma Higgins and husband, Lloyd, Branson, Missouri; one granddaughter, Tiffany Essenpries and husband, Nick, Adrian, Missouri and two great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Haley.