Hillie "Boats" Ackerman

Portsmouth, RI - Hillie "Boats" Ackerman, 91, of Portsmouth, died Sunday, April 14, 2013 at Newport Hospital surrounded by his family. He was the husband of the late Betty (Hodgkins) Ackerman. Born in Cottageville, SC, on March 30, 1922, he was the son of the late James Euell Ackerman and Jones Harriet Metts Ackerman.Mr. Ackerman was in the Navy during WWII and the Korean War and after 27 years of service retired as a BMCM. He went on to work at the navy base in special services as superintendent and was in charge of the marina periodically as well. After his second retirement he continued to work part time at the YMCA for several years. He spent his time taking walks, reading, and working in his yard maintaining the gardens and fish pond. He loved playing with his great grandchildren. He is survived by his children, Wayne Ackerman of Warren, RI, and Nancy Ackerman and her husband Glen D. Thomas of Orlando, FL, Hillie was the grandfather of Shawn Ackerman and his wife Shannon of Bristol and their children Porter and Trinity Ackerman. After Porter's birth he had a new lease on life and his family would joke that he had been "Porterized". He also leaves nieces, nephews, and extended family in South Carolina. Internment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to visiting nurses services of Newport and Bristol Counties.