William Joe RisnerAKRON – William Joe Risner, 66, of Akron, passed away surrounded by his girls at 6:21 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at his residence.
Joe was born on Aug. 23, 1955, in Prestonsburg, Ky., to the late William “Willie” and Helen K. Adams Risner. He was married on Feb. 12 1977, in Silver Lake, to Billie Lu Gillespie; she survives.
Joe proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force station at the 122nd Fighter Wing of Fort Wayne. He served for 30 years, retiring in 2014. During his active duty, he served as chief of supply in Balad, Iraq, and he was also deployed through his years in Qatar and Iraq. He was an active part of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. After retirement, he wanted to stay active. He assisted the Fulton County Sheriff's Department as a correctional officer.
As a young man, he grew up in Floyd County, Ky. He ran the hills barefoot in Ruff and Tuff Holler. He and his family traveled back and forth to Indiana for work. In elementary school, his family settled in the Sidney area. Then they moved to Silver Lake, where he would first meet his future wife Billie.
He loved Taekwondo, and he was a fifth degree black belt. He ran a school in North Manchester and Akron, where he was instrumental in many children’s lives. He was an avid traveler. He loved camping with family. Every year, they took the entire family on a vacation. He and his wife travelled all around the world, which included Mexico and Italy.
Joe’s love for riding started many years ago. He showed up on his first date with Billie on a motorcycle. He rode all kinds and brands of motorcycles. His last bike was a teel Harley-Davidson trike. He loved to take motorcycle trips down to Brown County. He also enjoyed rebuilding golf carts in his spare time.
Joe is survived by his wife, Billie Risner, of Akron; daughters: Nicole (Albert) Gutierrez, of Akron; and Stacey Hoxie; grandchildren: Emma, Dylon, Elizabeth, Bella, Gavin, Axel and Frankie; siblings: James (Barb) Risner, Drema (Todd) Montgomery, of Burket; Debbie (Mike) Jensen, of Hamlet; Danny (Donna) Risner, of Warsaw; and sister-in-law, Irene Risner; and 12 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Paul Risner.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 at Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 W. Rochester St., Akron, with Pastor Tim Lee officiating.
Military honors will be performed at the Lakeview Cemetery, Silver Lake.
The visitation hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22 at Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron.
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Memorial contributions can be made to the donor's choice of animal shelter in Joe's memory.
Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.
