Family and friends are remembering William “Bill” Akers, one of several people killed when a powerful tornado struck near Union City on March 6.
Akers, 63, died while visiting neighbors for a card game when the tornado tore through the area near Union Lake in Branch County. Two of his neighbors, PPenni Jo Guthrie, 65, and Keri Ann Johnson, 54, were also killed in the storm.
The three victims were later found in a nearby field in Sherwood Township by a neighbor.
Akers had moved to the lakeside community in the 1990s after discovering what he called his “little slice of paradise.” According to his daughter, Ashley Perkins, the family spent many weekends there fishing, boating and enjoying time together before he moved to the lake permanently in 2005.
His daughter described him as a devoted father who raised his three children largely on his own after a divorce. She said he loved fishing, playing board games and spending time with family and friends.
After moving to the lake full time, Akers also co-owned a marine repair business in Union City and remained active in the local community.
He is survived by his three children, a sister and two grandchildren. Loved ones say the close-knit neighborhood community has come together to support each other following the devastating storm that struck southwest Michigan.