Wilburn Burnis Aker, Jr

I worked with Wilburn at Crown Craft years ago. He was so sweet and a joy to talk to. He always made my work day brighter. Even though I haven't seen him in years I remember how kind he was and always smiling. He was a very special man who loved his family. I know he will be missed. Sherry Parker

We send our deepest sympathy to the family. Burnis has always been such a gentle and kind person. He will be sorely missed; however, we believe his new home for exceeds the previous one; and we believe he is now in the presence of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. May God Bless and keep you always. Elaine & Calvin Frazier

The Aker family is among the best that Calhoun and Gordon County has. They are faithful and loyal and I am honored to be able to call them friends. My prayers are with the family as I am out of state.

My name is Shirley and I volunteered with Wilbur at the Advent hospital he was always such a sweet kind friend. I will miss him.

With our deepest sympathy Our Hearts and Prayers go out to Tanisha,Tonya,Tennell ,God Bless you and your family Frank & Annette Powell ,Kelly Powell and Herman & Betty Reynolds

Wilburn was one of my favorite people in the world. I depended on his thoughtful, calm advice. He helped me see the best in people when I was discouraged. The world needs people like Wilburn now more than ever. My heart hurts with your loss.

As I write this message and reflect on memories of personal experiences, I remember so many things that's it's a tough choice upon which to comment on. So instead of remembering one I'll just say here as Mr Reeves stated in another comment that Burnis (Wilburn) was as steady as a rock and the same calm and caring person no matter when nor where; days, months or years between visits with him.

He was my uncle but we were only seven years apart in age so that meant we shared things of interest. When I'd visit Grandmother Jodie, we'd hang out and just be friends. I specifically remember playing baseball with him one morning alongside the barn on the river homeplace. A corncob was our baseball and the bat was a broomstick. It was as if we were at Yankee Stadium because at that time and place, being there with him was the most important to me as a very young boy and him being my baseball hero, mentor older brother and friend.

As life steps in and takes us on our own separate journeys all we have left are these memories and as I live and breathe today, you never had a single cross word to me, with me nor around me for anyone that I remember and brother, I don't know how many people that can be said about.

So please say hello to Grandad Wilburn for me as you are all united in the place we'll all gather one day and tell him I still remember the day he departed in April 1965, almost 11 years into my young life and I too look forward to our greater gathering.

BTW, please don't try to explain to Granddad I wrote this message on something called a iPhone as he might then want to send you back.

Wilburn was a very welcoming member of the first tennis team for which I had ever played in Calhoun. I was the young legs that played singles for the team that went to the state tournament that year, but he was also one that kept me humble by "showing" me multiple times why you never discount someone on the tennis court because they are older. He was a great example of how you could be confident, not cocky, and still be a winner. Lessons I carry to this day, knowing that my love of the sport was enhance by knowing him. Our tennis community holds him in the highest regard. Edward Jones, President Sequoyah Tennis Association

We sure have enjoyed bowling with Wilburn. He was such a sweet person and lots of fun. We will think of you often and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Miss you so much, Tony and Jade Holbrook

Enjoyed bowling with Wilburn and my heart goes out to the family. You will be missed. Andrew Lockhart

My Uncle Burnis was the most gentle, caring and loving person you could hope for. Over the years we've always enjoyed a special relationship through our love of sports, and baseball in particular. Our family has suffered a great loss, but we know of his great belief in the Lord so we know he's resting well. I'll love and miss you forever Uncle Burnis.

Your nephew Thomas Darnell Akwr

I met Wilburn when we were both a member of the Calhoun-Gordon leadership class in the mid 1990's. Later, I enjoyed bowling with and against him. Without question, he was one of the genuinely nicest gentlemen I have ever known. He loved people. We enjoyed talking about "the grands" and "the great grands", about sharing the same birthday, and he would give me that big smile when the Dodgers beat the Braves - no trash talk, just a big smile. Rest In Peace friend, you will be missed but you will be thought of often. Bill Cherry and Family.

What a Great Friend, a Great Person and a Great American for serving his Country. When I first heard Wilburn had passed, I thought about all the good times we had together on the tennis court and eating lunch with our friends. We all will miss Wilburn very much but we know without a doubt that he's in a better place and we will see him again. Thanks for your friendship through out the years and we will be praying for the Aker Family. David, Sue & Family

The entire Aker Family has our sincerest sympathies for the loss of their beloved father, brother, grandfather, mentor, and friend. Burnis' untimely death will prove to be a challenge to overcome. God bless you all. James and Miriam Hutcherson.

So sorry for your loss, praying for you all.. Rest in Paradise... Alice Pritchard & Family

The game of tennis won't be the same, Thanks to you for all you taught me.

My condolences and prayers are with the family.

Stacey Shropshire

When my daughter was first old enough to play T Ball. I took her to the rec and signed her up for her first year. She ended up on a team coached by a very nice man named Wilburn Aker. I quickly recognized his quiet and gentle nature with kids. We were not a great team but as I look back, we had the best choice. Wiburn was fair to the kids and let them play to have fun like little kids. Over the years I have seen Wilbrun from time to time and he has never changed from that quiet and gentle man we met some 34 years back. Please rest in peace Wilburn. Tommy Reeves and family

Tanisha Tonya Tennell. I have you in my Prayers Love you Preston and Theresa Mims Rome GA.

Words cannot express the sorrow my heart felt at the receipt of the news of Burnis's passing. As a little girl, he had a very kind spirit and gentle smile. When seeing him as the years passed, he still had that same kind spirit and gentle smile. Though it was many years in between seeing him, I could tell that he lived the Lord. He will be sorely missed. Our prayers are with my family in this hour of sorrow and grief. I love you all. Jennifer

My Condolences to the entire Aker family. May God Comfort and Strengthen each of you. Nancy Sanford/Adams

Love and blessings for the family, our deepest sympathies at the passing of this gentle spirit. Much love, Andre and Ramona Aker

Our hearts are saddened for the entire Aker Family. Howard and I knew Wilburn well. He always greeted us with a big smile and hand shake. When his Mother, Jodie, was in life, she was a Special Friend to our Family and we loved her dearly. What a beautiful and talented person she was, and raised her children to be good and devoted people. We always took time to talk together with Wilburn about his Mother and beautiful Family. Asking God to Bless each of

you and grant you His Peace as only He can. Love in Christ to all. Howard and Brenda Brock

With deepest sympathy, our thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time. God bless you all! Pete and Mary Ruth Garigan

The family of Wilburn Aker has our deepest condolences for the loss of a father and grandfather. We have all lost a truly wonderful, loving and caring person. Wilburn saw value in every person he met. He loved his family, his community, his church family and the Calhoun Housing Authority. He was a great commissioner and a wonderful Chairman of the Board. He served with great pride and conviction while also showing compassion to those who needed it most. The staff at CHA felt like we were his second family. We will all love and miss him. He loved all sports especially tennis and baseball. He was an avid Los Angeles Dodgers fan. We will miss his stories about how well his Dodgers were doing. On behalf of the entire Calhoun Housing Authority Board of Commissioners and the staff we will dearly miss our friend. He will forever live in our hearts. Gail Brown, CHA Commissioners and Staff

Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.