William Ackerman

William T. Ackerman, 92, of Lincoln died Thursday, December 14, 2006 in Lincoln. He was born on January 4, 1914, in Detroit to William Henry and Winifred (Tryon) Ackerman, Bill was employed during WWII as Chief Electrical Engineer at a Sub-Chaser manufacturing plant in Cleveland, OH. He was preceded in death by his first wife Lillian (Lancaster) and his son, William L. Ackerman. Bill led a busy, active life. He traveled to all fifty States, toured Europe and the Virgin Islands. In 1957 and 1958 he was named “Boss of the Year” by the National Secretaries Association. In 1967 Bill married Mildred (Bauer), and they owned and operated Lakeside Party Store in Lincoln. Mildred preceded him in death in 1980. He married Betty (Bossick-Schafer) in 1985. He retired in 1992 and wintered in Sun City AZ where he enjoyed golf and lawn bowling. Survivors include his wife, Betty, his daughter, Sherrill (the late Robert) Shields of Sunnyvale, CA, two sons, John (Kim) Ackerman of Corrales, NM and Randall Ackerman of Addison IL., six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. One step daughter in law Mary Ann (the late Nathan)Bauer of Saginaw, step daughter Dixie Lee(the late Gerald) Nelson of Lincoln, four step grandchildren and six step great grandchildren. A step daughter, Jean Ann (Leonard) Morin of Oscoda, step son, Dr. John A (Donna) Schafer of Waterford, three step grandchildren and one step great granddaughter, also survive. Bill was a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks in Bridgeport, Alpena, and Sun City, AZ, Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln Industrial Development Corp, Alcona Lodge F and A.M., the Lions Club of Bridgeport and Lincoln. He was a founding member of the Alcona Citizens for Health, serving on the board for 15 years. As a Lincoln Lion, Bill chaired the 1974 “Lincoln Frontier Days” and the 1981 Rodeo. He served as club president in 1981, was named “Lion of the Year” in 1997 and was awarded the Melvin Jones Award. In 1985 Bill was chairman of the Lincoln Centennial Festival which featured one of the areas longest parades ever. Any one who knew Bill knew of his great smile and personality. He was always first to be chosen for charity collections, or to sell tickets for any benefit. Bill’s last contribution was to donate his body to the University of Michigan Medical School. No services are scheduled. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Ackerman, please visit our flower store.