Pleas Henderson Akers, 81, of Piggott died at the VA Nursing Home in Poplar Bluff on Monday, April 5, 2004.

He was born in Kennett on July 6, 1922, son of Pleas A. and Florence Henderson Akers.

He married Nelldean Smith on Nov. 1, 1941.

He was a veteran of World War II where he served in the Old Hickory Division. He was wounded in action and taken as a prisoner of war during the Battle of the Bulge.

As a young man he worked in a CCC Camp in Iowa. He was also a painter, drywall contractor and built many houses in the Kennett area. In his later years he built and refinished furniture and was famous for his many homemade crafts.

Mr. Akers was a life-time member of the Disabled American Veterans, of which he was a past commander, and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Kennett.

He was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Piggott.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers; three sisters; and one son, Robert.

He is survived by his wife; three sons and four daughters-in-law, Johnny Akers and wife, Karen, of San Bernadino, Calif., David Akers and wife, Becky, of Phoenix, Ariz., and Michael Akers and wife, Jacy, of Piggott, and daughter-in-law, Nancy Akers of Memphis; two daughters and sons-in-law, Marilyn Low and husband, Myron, of Piggott and Brenda Dicus and husband, James, of Kennett; one brother, Don L. Akers of Saginaw, Mich.; 11 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at McDaniel Funeral Home in Kennett. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with Bro. Kim Bridges and Bro. Kevin Murray officiating.

A military burial will follow at the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Kennett.