William Nelson "Bill" Ackerman's Obituary
William Nelson “Bill” Ackerman, age 85, of Fayetteville, passed away Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Fayetteville. He was born December 15,1935, in Roswell, New Mexico, to Albert Louis Ackerman and Ruby (Carey) Ackerman.
As a teenager, Bill worked his way to Eagle Scout earning 3 palms. Bill attended New Mexico Military Institute where he graduated high school and also attended his first two years of college. He finished his degree work at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico. Bill was a native of New Mexico who moved to Northwest Arkansas in 1992. He spent his professional career in the insurance industry specializing in financial and estate planning. He is a former member of the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the past Chairman of the Washington County Council on Aging. He also served with the Northwest Arkansas Economic Advisory District. Bill served six years on the Washington County Election Commission and was recently appointed to the Arkansas State Election Commission by Governor Asa Hutchinson.
In 2001 Bill was appointed by Governor Mike Huckabee to serve on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Bill never stopped promoting his love of the fish and wildlife resources of the State of Arkansas. His special interest was the enhancement of our trout fisheries. He focused on the Norfork tailwater where in 2004 the commission’s first handicapped accessible walk-in fishing facility was renamed to the Bill Ackerman River Ridge Access Area. Until his death, Bill was a conscientious layman who continued to be actively involved in the agency’s work and provide valuable input on various conservation issues.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son Michael Ackerman.
He is survived by his wife, Bootsie Ackerman; son, Nelson Ackerman and wife Annette; two daughters, Leslie Ackerman, Jackie Sweeney and her husband Sean; four grandchildren, Nicole Ackerman, and husband Kyle Wilkie, Nelson Lee Ackerman Jr., and wife Jordyn, Stephanie Nazario and her husband Jacob and Steven Sweeney. Four great grandchildren, Kaydence and Kole Wilkie, Skylar and Skarlett Ackerman.
A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held on Tuesday, June 22,2021, at 10:00 AM in the Chapel of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. William Nelson “Bill” Ackerman, age 85, of Fayetteville, passed away Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Fayetteville. He was born December 15, 1935, in Roswell, New Mexico, to Albert Louis Ackerman and Ruby (Carey) Ackerman.
As a teenager, Bill worked his way to Eagle Scout earning 3 palms. Bill attended New Mexico Military Institute where he graduated high school and also attended his first two years of college. He finished his degree work at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico. Bill was a native of New Mexico who moved to Northwest Arkansas in 1992. He spent his professional career in the insurance industry specializing in financial and estate planning. He is a former member of the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the past Chairman of the Washington County Council on Aging. He also served with the Northwest Arkansas Economic Advisory District. Bill served six years on the Washington County Election Commission and was recently appointed to the Arkansas State Election Commission by Governor Asa Hutchinson.
In 2001 Bill was appointed by Governor Mike Huckabee to serve on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Bill never stopped promoting his love of the fish and wildlife resources of the State of Arkansas. His special interest was the enhancement of our trout fisheries. He focused on the Norfork tailwater where in 2004 the commission’s first handicapped accessible walk-in fishing facility was renamed to the Bill Ackerman River Ridge Access Area. Until his death, Bill was a conscientious layman who continued to be actively involved in the agency’s work and provide valuable input on various conservation issues.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son Michael Ackerman.
He is survived by his wife, Bootsie Ackerman; son, Nelson Ackerman and wife Annette; two daughters, Leslie Ackerman, Jackie Sweeney and her husband Sean; four grandchildren, Nicole Ackerman, and husband Kyle Wilkie, Nelson Lee Ackerman Jr., and wife Jordyn, Stephanie Nazario and her husband Jacob and Steven Sweeney. Four great grandchildren, Kaydence and Kole Wilkie, Skylar and Skarlett Ackerman.
A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at 10:00 AM in the Chapel of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. Click this link to view additional details about William Nelson "Bill"'s Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/william-nelson-bill-ackerman
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation at 2 Natural Resource Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 or at the following link https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/ArkansasGameFishFoundation/donate.html
To sign the online guest book please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation at 2 Natural Resource Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 or at the following link https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/ArkansasGameFishFoundation/donate.html
To sign the online guest book please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com
What’s your fondest memory of William?
What’s a lesson you learned from William?
Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
How did William make you smile?