Shirley Ross Akers

Shirley “Shirl” Ross Akers passed away peacefully on March 20, 2015 at age 85.  He was the beloved husband of Helen (Triplett) Akers for 62 years; loving father of Sharon Akers and Steven (Darlene Fuhrer) Akers; and adoring granddad to Madison and Bryce Akers.

Shirl was born on October 5, 1929 in Copper Valley, Virginia.  The son of Guy Howard and Edna Reed Akers, he was one of ten children.

He joined the Army, serving his country during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953.

Shirl and Helen moved to their home in Beltsville, Maryland in 1955, where his company constructed many of the bridges for the Washington Beltway, as well as the Occoquan Bridge in Virginia.  He received numerous awards throughout his career for his work.

He was a member of the Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Beltsville Lions Club and the American Legion.