Akers, Robert Donald

Robert (Bob) Akers, a long time truck driver for Burlington Industries and then Howell Motor Freight, pulled into the terminal for the last time on Tuesday, December 2, 2008.

He was 79 years old and a resident of the Shiloh community in Pulaski County for most of his adult life. In recent months, he has been battling lung cancer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Kale Aker and Belle Lee Aker; his wife of 54 years, Dorothy Stevens Akers, in 2004; and infant daughter, Carolyn Diane Akers.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served at the end of World War II. For the past few years, he and his close friend, Lois Jackson, of Draper, Va., enjoyed companionship and adventures. Bob will be remembered for his humor, good nature and friendship.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Mike Akers and Cathy Akers, of Blacksburg; daughter and son-in-law, Janet Akers McNew and Malcolm McNew, of Dublin; grandchildren , Ashley McNew, of Dublin, Jason McNew and Hildegard Hanselmann, of Gum Spring, Va.; great-grandson, Braeden McNew, of Gum Spring, Va.; brothers and sister-in-law, John and Brenda Aker, of Fairlawn, Jack Akers, of Hampton, Va.; and sister, Charlotte Weaver, of Vero Beach, Fla.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Friday, December 5, 2008, at the Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski, with the Rev. Gary Rorrer and the Rev. Johnny Howlett officiating. Interment will follow at Shiloh Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday evening, December 4, 2008, at the Bower Funeral Home, Pulaski, Va.,

To send the family online condolences, visit www.bowerfuneralhome.com Bower Funeral Home, Pulaski, Va., is handling the arrangements for the family.