Boyd J. Akers, 87, of Roanoke, was reunited with his wife in his new heavenly home on Tuesday, December 9, 2014. He was born on August 30, 1927 to the late Charles Emory and Bessie Weddle Akers in Roanoke, Va. Boyd was a proud veteran who served his country honorably in the Merchant Marines from 1944 to 1946; the United States Marine Corps from 1951 until 1955 and The Marine Corps Reserves from 1962 until 1966, totaling 10 years of faithful service to his beloved country. Along with his service to his country, his work ethic was certainly expanded to his years of service at N& W Railroad, totaling 6 years of service, as well as AEP Electric, serving from 1956 until 1992 before retiring. He was not a man to retire and sit around so, in 1992, Boyd became employed with various automotive dealers in the area. He would deliver vehicles from dealer to dealer and would remain employed up until he became sick. Above all of this, Boyd will be remembered, from those who knew him most, as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend to all! In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Edith Marie Akers; brothers, John Douglas Akers, Gordon Lacy Akers and Charles Derwood Akers; and a sister, Wanda Eloise Overstreet. Family remaining to cherish his memory includes his son, David B. Akers and fiancé, Wanda Cody; step-daughter, Misty Akers; grandchildren, Amber Saunders, Jessi Dodson and Destyni Akers; brother, Clovis Leo Akers; 6 step-grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Friday, December 12, 2014 from 6 until 8 p.m. at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem.. Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park in Roanoke where military rights will be conducted. An online guestbook is available by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.