Colonel (Retired) William David (Dave) Akridge, U. S. Army, 77, passed away November 29, 2024 at his home in Cabot, Arkansas. Dave fought a long, difficult battle with kidney failure, even garnering the nickname "Garfield" from his nursing staff, for the many times he rebounded when all the odds were stacked against him. He survived heart failure, five-bypass heart surgery in 2003 and colon cancer in 2004.

Dave was born to Acy and Juanita Akridge on January 22, 1947 in Tampa, Florida. His service to his country would start long before he enlisted into the military. He was part of a special generation of Army Brats that lived and went to school in Germany Post-WWII. These kids were integral to rebuilding relationships between America and Germany, and through their shared sacrifice, made lifelong friends. His reunions for Ludwigsburg High School and 173rd Infantry were some of his most treasured memories as he got older. Until recently, he tried to attend every reunion.

In June of 1966, following his graduation from high school, Dave would start his 29-year military career during the Vietnam War as a private. After one year of enlisted service, Dave was tapped to enter Infantry Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning in May 1967.
In early 1971, he volunteered to a secret commando unit operating in north Vietnam and Cambodia, MACV-SOG, whose operations were finally declassified in the 1990's. His unit received a Presidential Unit Citation in April 2001.

Dave left active service as an Army Captain in 1972, but continued his service to his country in the Army Reserves until retiring in 2007.

Being one of the few OCS officers to retire at the rank of Full Colonel, he was inducted to the Officer Candidate School Hall of Honor in the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1992.

During his time in active and reserve service he earned several awards: Bronze Star with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Medal; Army Commendation Medal w/"V" device and 4 Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal with Gold Star; Army Service Ribbon; Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Gold Stars; Vietnam Gallantry Medal with 1 Bronze Star; Army Reserve Service Medal; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; Parachutist Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Dave entered the mail service in Tampa, Florida, finishing his management degree at St. Leo College in 1982. He stayed in civil service throughout his Army Reserve career, retiring from civil service in 2007.

As accomplished as he was, Dave was incredibly humble and loved the simple pleasures of life. He loved to golf with his son and brothers, travel to visit family and longtime friends, and share his war stories with civilians and veterans alike. He was well-loved by all his friends and family and he loved them all in return. Dave was a hard-working husband and father who valued moral strength above all else. He was a dedicated grandfather who was at the birth of each of his four grandchildren, all of whom shared a strong bond with him.

Dave was preceded in death by his mother, Juanita Akridge (Shepard), his father, Acy Akridge, and his son, Kevin Akridge.

Survivors include his dedicated wife, Heidi Akridge (Dinnell); daughters, Heather Spencer and Juanita Musto; daughter-in-law, Heather Akridge (Owens); sons-in-law, Aaron Spencer and David Musto; brothers, Acy and Richard Akridge; grandchildren, Malachi Spencer, Kaylie Akridge, Micah Spencer, and Vera Musto.

Funeral services will begin with Viewing at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6, 2024 at Moore's Funeral Home in Cabot, Arkansas, followed by a service at 3:00 p.m.  Graveside services with military honors will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 13, 2024 at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, an organization Dave felt strongly about in providing homes to fallen and injured veterans and first responders and their families. Arrangements by Moore's Cabot Funeral Home, 501-843-5816.