Wilfred Burl Acton ("Bill") went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at age 86.

Bill was born to Otto and Blanch Brant Acton on June 27, 1935 in Olney, Illinois. He was raised by a group of wonderful women: his Mother and five sisters Imogene, Evelyn, Lois, Mary, Carrie, and cousin Dorothy Scott. They moved to Wayne, Michigan during WWII to work in a tank factory near Detroit. Bill's sister Lois helped make it financially possible for him to be the first person in his family to go to college.  Bill majored in Philosophy and Religion at Spring Arbor Junior College and Roberts Wesleyan College.  He was best known for singing in traveling men’s quartets — something he really loved.

Bill met his wife, Margaret Jane Thompson ("Jane")  in 1955 on their first day at college.  They were classmates for four years and began dating in 1960.  They were married one year later on August 12, 1961 and went on to have three sons, Jeffrey Burl, Kevin Todd, and Robert Brant Acton.  Called to ministry, Bill was pastor to three congregations in Vicksburg, Portage, and Hazel Park, Michigan.  After ten years working in probate court, he served for 17 years as the Founding Executive Director of Covenant Hills Camp, in the East Michigan Conference of the Free Methodist Church.  From 1994 to 2003, Bill served as Senior Pastor of the Davison Free Methodist Church, the faith community he and Jane called their own for most of their lives.  After retirement, they made Light & Life Park in Lakeland, Florida their winter home alongside many lifelong friends.

 In addition to being a loving husband and proud father and grandfather, Bill found joy in playing Rook with friends, buying the latest gadgets, photography, writing and performing skits, and quartet music.  Bill's unwavering faith in God was deeply held and the anchor of his life.  Bill is preceded in death by his father, mother, five sisters, and countless dear friends.  He is survived by his wife Jane; his children Jeff, Cindy, Kevin and Rob; and his grandchildren Jeffrey, Jamie, Leigha, Anthony, Mckenzie, Austin, Tyler, Kasey, Karlie, Karson, Kelsey and Kylie, as well as his first soon-to-arrive great grandchild.

"This my song through endless ages, Jesus led me all the way."

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