COLUMBUS
Billy J. Acton, 75, of Columbus, passed from this life at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at his home.
Bill was born May 24, 1945, in Seymour, Indiana, the son of Charles and Yuvonne Carpenter Acton.
He married Ruth Logan West September 11, 1976.
Together they had two sons, William Acton of Indianapolis and Joseph (Brennan) Acton of Columbus; grandchildren, Joseph Acton Jr., Andrew Rotert, James Rotert and Case Rotert; brother, Jerry (Sondra) Acton of Brownstown; many nieces and nephews and grandpuppies, Catfish and Pumpkin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Willis, Ellis and Larry Acton; sister, Eleva Mae Morris and a nephew Robert Morris.
Bill graduated from Freetown High School in 1963 where he played basketball all four years.
He worked at the Canning Factory, Cummins as well as mowing yards.
He joined the Army and continued to play basketball there. After the Army he joined Cummins Engine Company and retired in 2000 after 34 years of service so he could spend more time on his favorite hobby, fishing. He made his own lures and enjoyed showing people the right way to fish. There were many fish fries to show off his talent for cooking as well as catching fish.
Bill was a member of Ogilville Christian Church, Model A Restorers Club and Whispering Eagles Motorcycle Club.
A sports enthusiast, he spent many years coaching baseball, basketball, girl’s softball and refereeing basketball with his buddy Jim.
He enjoyed watching IU Basketball and was able to attend some home games and a Colts fan attending several games with his good friend George. He got the opportunity to attend the Super Bowl to watch the Colts.
The funeral will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Sunday at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street with John Hundley officiating.
Family and friends may call from 11:00 a.m. to time of service Sunday at the Funeral Home.
We do ask that visitors follow the social distancing guidelines once inside the funeral home and masks are required.
Burial will be at Bethel Baptist Cemetery with military honors presented by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to Foundation For Youth to help kids play basketball or Ogilville Christian Church Mission Teams.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Acton family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com
