Obituary for Billy Joe Ackley
Kingsford - Billy Joe Ackley, 95, of Kingsford, MI, passed away on Tuesday, April 18th, 2023, at the Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson, Iron Mountain, MI.
Billy Joe was born on June 20th, 1927, in Hutchinson, KS, to the late Charles and Daisy (Miller) Ackley. Billy Joe grew up in San Francisco, CA, and Wichita, KS, additionally living in Idaho, Colorado, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. On June 15th, 1943, Billy enlisted into the United States Navy as a quad 20mm anti-aircraft gunner and operated 3" and 5" cannons. He participated in conflicts in Guadalcanal, New Guinea, New Hebrides, Russell Islands, Mariana Islands and the invasions of Leyte, Luzon, and was a first wave diversionary force for the invasion of Saipan. Billy was only fifteen years old when he had reached the waters off Guadalcanal. Billy proudly served until his honorable discharge on November 6th, 1948. Billy was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the American Area Campaign Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with four campaign stars. Billy Joe was extremely proud of his service and his beloved Navy. He proudly wore his veteran cap daily and was fortunate enough to be able to participate in the Honor Flight to Washington D.C.
In 1945, while on leave, he met Evelyn Macki and after two weeks, they were married on June 16th,1945, in Chicago, IL. They remained happily married for 57 years. They were blessed with ten children. Following his honorable discharge, Billy and Evelyn lived in Wichita, KS, and Chicago, IL, before raising their family in Manitowoc, WI. Billy worked as a pipefitter through the UA Local 400. He finished out his career at Point Beach and Kewaunee Nuclear Plants, retiring in 1988. In retirement, Billy and Evelyn frequently traveled the country in their motorhome, particularly enjoying the Florida panhandle. In 1996, they had found their quiet corner in the Wisconsin north woods, in Pembine, WI. They lived there happily, always surrounded by family, until Evelyn’s passing in 2002.
In 2004, Billy married Delores Hunt in Marinette, WI. They resided in Pembine until moving to Kingsford, MI. Family was always of the utmost importance to Billy, and he will be remembered as an amazing father and the quintessential grandfather to all. In his final moments, he wanted his family to know how much he loved them, and how proud he was of each and every one of them.
In addition to his parents, Billy was preceded in death by Evelyn, two brothers Charles and Harold Ackley, sister Dorothy Workman, three sons, Michael, Brian, and Steven Ackley, and daughter Rita Schlaeger, along with brothers, sisters-in-laws, and three great-grandsons.
Survivors include his wife of 18 years, Delores Ackley; four sons, Billy (Georgia) Ackley, Pembine, WI, James (Debbie) Ackley, Manitowoc, WI, David (Lynn) Ackley, Green Bay, WI, and Jon (Chris) Ackley, Manitowoc, WI. Two daughters, Rosemary Waskow, Manitowoc, WI and Christina (Michael) Raduenz, Manitowoc, WI, and sister-in-law, Louise Macki Weidman.
Billy Joe is also survived by his grandchildren; Billy (Stephanie) Ackley; Michael and Michelle Ackley, Candice Ackley, and Charles (Jean) Ackley; Cle (Jessica) Gray, Danielle (Raymond) Mrotek, Ty Schlaeger, and Melissa Schlaeger; Rosey Ackley; Melissa (Wes) Melvin, Chad (Ida) Ackley, and Brandon (Kelsey) Ackley; Nick (Sarah) Waskow and Jacy (Ricky) Halada; Brandon (Kayla) Ackley, Kristi Ackley and Erin (Kasey) Kozlowski; and Crystal (Rob) Malwitz. Billy Joe is further survived by forty-four great-grandchildren and thirteen great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Victoria Moreland, NP and the nursing staff at Marshfield Medical Center - Dickinson for the loving time they spent with Billy Joe talking, laughing, and caring for him. They truly made him and his family feel special in those final days. The family will forever be grateful for their care.
Visitation will be held at Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Manitowoc, WI, on Friday, May 5th, 2023, from 12:00 pm-2:00 pm. Burial will follow with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your local VFW Posts in Billy Joe Ackley’s honor.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Billy's family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Michigan to honor Billy's legacy of life.
Billy Joe was born on June 20th, 1927, in Hutchinson, KS, to the late Charles and Daisy (Miller) Ackley. Billy Joe grew up in San Francisco, CA, and Wichita, KS, additionally living in Idaho, Colorado, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. On June 15th, 1943, Billy enlisted into the United States Navy as a quad 20mm anti-aircraft gunner and operated 3" and 5" cannons. He participated in conflicts in Guadalcanal, New Guinea, New Hebrides, Russell Islands, Mariana Islands and the invasions of Leyte, Luzon, and was a first wave diversionary force for the invasion of Saipan. Billy was only fifteen years old when he had reached the waters off Guadalcanal. Billy proudly served until his honorable discharge on November 6th, 1948. Billy was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the American Area Campaign Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with four campaign stars. Billy Joe was extremely proud of his service and his beloved Navy. He proudly wore his veteran cap daily and was fortunate enough to be able to participate in the Honor Flight to Washington D.C.
In 1945, while on leave, he met Evelyn Macki and after two weeks, they were married on June 16th,1945, in Chicago, IL. They remained happily married for 57 years. They were blessed with ten children. Following his honorable discharge, Billy and Evelyn lived in Wichita, KS, and Chicago, IL, before raising their family in Manitowoc, WI. Billy worked as a pipefitter through the UA Local 400. He finished out his career at Point Beach and Kewaunee Nuclear Plants, retiring in 1988. In retirement, Billy and Evelyn frequently traveled the country in their motorhome, particularly enjoying the Florida panhandle. In 1996, they had found their quiet corner in the Wisconsin north woods, in Pembine, WI. They lived there happily, always surrounded by family, until Evelyn’s passing in 2002.
In 2004, Billy married Delores Hunt in Marinette, WI. They resided in Pembine until moving to Kingsford, MI. Family was always of the utmost importance to Billy, and he will be remembered as an amazing father and the quintessential grandfather to all. In his final moments, he wanted his family to know how much he loved them, and how proud he was of each and every one of them.
In addition to his parents, Billy was preceded in death by Evelyn, two brothers Charles and Harold Ackley, sister Dorothy Workman, three sons, Michael, Brian, and Steven Ackley, and daughter Rita Schlaeger, along with brothers, sisters-in-laws, and three great-grandsons.
Survivors include his wife of 18 years, Delores Ackley; four sons, Billy (Georgia) Ackley, Pembine, WI, James (Debbie) Ackley, Manitowoc, WI, David (Lynn) Ackley, Green Bay, WI, and Jon (Chris) Ackley, Manitowoc, WI. Two daughters, Rosemary Waskow, Manitowoc, WI and Christina (Michael) Raduenz, Manitowoc, WI, and sister-in-law, Louise Macki Weidman.
Billy Joe is also survived by his grandchildren; Billy (Stephanie) Ackley; Michael and Michelle Ackley, Candice Ackley, and Charles (Jean) Ackley; Cle (Jessica) Gray, Danielle (Raymond) Mrotek, Ty Schlaeger, and Melissa Schlaeger; Rosey Ackley; Melissa (Wes) Melvin, Chad (Ida) Ackley, and Brandon (Kelsey) Ackley; Nick (Sarah) Waskow and Jacy (Ricky) Halada; Brandon (Kayla) Ackley, Kristi Ackley and Erin (Kasey) Kozlowski; and Crystal (Rob) Malwitz. Billy Joe is further survived by forty-four great-grandchildren and thirteen great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Victoria Moreland, NP and the nursing staff at Marshfield Medical Center - Dickinson for the loving time they spent with Billy Joe talking, laughing, and caring for him. They truly made him and his family feel special in those final days. The family will forever be grateful for their care.
Visitation will be held at Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Manitowoc, WI, on Friday, May 5th, 2023, from 12:00 pm-2:00 pm. Burial will follow with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your local VFW Posts in Billy Joe Ackley’s honor.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Billy's family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Michigan to honor Billy's legacy of life.