Akin, William Roy
7/17/1979
July 19, 1901 - July 17, 1979 |
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| William Roy Akin was born July 19, 1901 to Reverend W. E. Akin and Beulah Akin in a Methodist parsonage in Gibsland, Louisiana. Being the oldest child in a parsonage family, he accompanied his father many miles in a horse-drawn buggy, and later in a new Ford car. Roy attended Centenary College, but due to a lack of finances, he was not able to graduate. He was well-learned in Latin, Algebra, and Geometry, and later spent some time teaching these subjects in high school. Eventually Roy became a rural mail carrier and retired at this occupation. His early years as a layman were dedicated to the work of teaching Church School and serving as Church School Superintendent in The Sibley United Methodist Church. During the 1930’s and early 1940’s Roy was pastor of the Adams Chapel Methodist Church, where he served for thirteen years. In 1951, Roy entered the ministry full time as a Local Pastor. He sold all his business ventures and began some very active and productive years as a Methodist preacher. He helped build four lovely churches in The Louisiana Annual Conference, and one educational building. These beautiful rural churches are: Mt. Zion, Oak Grove, Provencal, and Davis Springs. In addition to these churches in which he provided pastoral leadership, Roy also applied his carpentry skills, while serving Vile Platte, Marthaville, Beulah, Robeling, Athens, and Evergreen, just to name a few. After Roy’s retirement from the ministry he continued to serve many churches as a supply pastor. He also gave much support to many young men who were entering the ministry, besides his silent ministry of mailing over 200 Upper Rooms to many people who he knew to be in special need of spiritual guidance. On June 18,1979, Roy died after a short illness. He is survived by his wife, Fredna S. Akin, son, W. W. Akin, two daughters, Mrs. Martha Susla and Mrs. Mary Byrd, two brothers, two sisters, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and other relatives and a great host of friends. Roy’s pilgrimage in life is ended, but the pilgrimage which Roy made will continue to be an inspiration to all of us who knew his strong dedication to living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And so, we affirm what Roy lived: “Do not fear what you are about to suffer….… Be faithful unto death, and (Jesus) will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2: l0a,c) |
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| Source: Journal of the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, 1980, Pages 163, by Steven M. Spurlock | |
