Robert Weldon Akins Jr.

Robert “Bobby” Weldon Akins, Jr., 78, of Chester, South Carolina passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2025, surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Purity Presbyterian Church, Chester with the Reverend Remi Flaherty officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday in the church social hall immediately following the service and on Wednesday July 2, 2025, at the home from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

Bobby was born in Asheville, North Carolina, on April 18, 1947, a son of the late Robert Weldon Akins, Sr. and Marie Louise Warlick Brown (James Sexton Brown, Sr.). He was the oldest of seven children and raised in the Blackstock Community. Bobby was a graduate of Chester High School Class of 1965 and York Technical College Class of 1980. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in May of 1966 during the Vietnam War. He served two years of active duty in infantry and four years in the Army Reserve and was honorably discharged in May of 1972.

Left to cherish his memory are wife, Wanda Ann Massey Akins; a daughter, Angela “Angie” Marie Akins Keels, and her husband whom he loved like a son, William “Billy” Clyde Keels, Jr.; two grandchildren William “Trey” Clyde Keels, III, and Alexandra “Allie” Akins Keels; sisters, Wanda Elizabeth Akins Love (Doug), Martha Diane Varnadore (Tommy), and Cathy Brown McKay; brothers, James “Sumter” Sexton Brown, Jr., and Sumter McDonald Brown (Vickie); and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Louise Collins (Richard) and a brother-in-law, Robbie McKay.

He and Wanda were married for 56 years, rarely separating overnight. His family was the joy of his life; his pride in their accomplishments evident to all who knew him.

Bobby was a supervisor at Campus Sportswear in Chester, SC alongside his wife Wanda for over 25 years where they made lifelong friends who felt like family. After Megastar, formerly Campus, closed in 1992, Bobby worked at Omnova Solutions, also, in Chester until his retirement in 2015. He was well loved and worked hard in every workplace, including his last position at The Chester County Recycling Center. He was a man among men, a gentle giant.

Bobby’s favorite name was Boboo, a name he received from his oldest grandchild, Trey. He supported his daughter and grandchildren in every endeavor, whether playing a sport for the Lewisville Lions or attending college and law school. Boboo was a lifetime fan of the South Carolina Gamecocks and very proud that both grandchildren would graduate from the University’s School of Law. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman and was actually fishing with his brother on Lake Wateree the day of his stroke. Bobby, also, enjoyed performing acts of service for those that he loved by doing yard work, and making their life easier anyway he knew how. His legacy will be that of a provider, hard worker, a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

The family will be at their respective homes.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com