My father, Bill Akers, was the nicest guy you could ever meet. He had an amazing sense of humor, always put his children first, and loved being a papa. In 2005, he made the lake his full-time home, leaving behind his traditional 9 to 5 job to embrace a life surrounded by friends and family. Bill became a co-owner and operator of Rick and Bill's Marine, where he and his best friend worked within the Union City Communtiy. Even after the marina was lost to arson, he retired and still never stopped lending a hand—fixing boats and supporting his neighbors whenever they needed him. The lake and Tuttle Park Dr were more than just a place to live; they were a close-knit community where everyone looked out for each other.

The Union City tornado changed everything. Bill, my dad, lost his life along with his friend Keri, who he was playing cards with and their neighbor. Many more were injured. The road and many homes are damaged, while many more are no longer standing. The community is grieving, and the loss feels overwhelming. But in the midst of this heartbreak, we are coming together to honor those we lost and to rebuild what was destroyed. Dad's home still stands but many do not - he loved the lake and the people on it.

We are raising funds to celebrate my father's life and legacy, and any extra support will go directly to helping his neighbors recover and rebuild. Any help you can give—whether it's a donation or sharing our story—means the world to us. Thank you for standing with us during this difficult time.

A celebration of life will be held in the summer at dads home on the lake on father's day weekend to celebrate life of this amazing man.