SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 637
In Memory
of
William Charles Akins
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
citizens of Austin in mourning the loss of William Charles Akins,
a beloved member of the community, who died March 29, 2017, at the
age of 84; and
WHEREAS, A native of East Austin, Charles Akins was born on
November 9, 1932; he attended Blackshear Elementary School and
Kealing Junior High School, and he was a graduate of the original
L. C. Anderson High School on Pennsylvania Street; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Akins studied history and English at
Huston-Tillotson College and earned a bachelor's degree in 1954;
he later earned a master's degree from Prairie View A&M
University, and in 1982, Huston-Tillotson University awarded him
an honorary doctorate of humane letters; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Akins began his career as an educator in
Marlin, Texas, and he returned to Austin in 1959 to begin
teaching at L. C. Anderson High School on Thompson Street, where
he was named Teacher of the Year in 1962; when the Austin
Independent School District began the process of integrating
schools, he transferred to Johnston High School, where he served
as the first crossover teacher in the district; he served as
assistant principal at Anderson High School and at Lanier High
School, and he continued to play an instrumental role in the
district's desegregation initiatives; he spent his last nine
years of in-school service as principal of the new L. C. Anderson
High School on Mesa Drive, and he was promoted to the position of
assistant superintendant and later associate superintendent of
community relations for the district in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Akins retired after 44 years in education, and
he stayed connected to his field as a board member for the Region
13 Education Service Center and other educational organizations;
in 2000, the Austin Independent School District honored his
impressive career and legacy in the city with the opening of W.
Charles Akins High School; and
WHEREAS, Charles Akins was a distinguished civic leader
who received numerous awards over the years for his contributions
to his profession and his community; in addition to being a
pioneer in education, he also created inroads into media when he
became the first African American television sportscaster in
Austin at KLRU; and
WHEREAS, A man of deep spiritual devotion, he served the
Wesley United Methodist Church in numerous capacities, including
as a delegate to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences for
the United Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, Charles Akins was a devoted husband, father, and
grandfather and a treasured citizen of the Lone Star State, and
he leaves behind memories that will long be cherished by all who
were privileged to share in his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of William Charles Akins; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Charles Akins.
Watson
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 18, 2017, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate