Decades of friendship: Willie Akers remembers Jerry West

WEST VIRGINIA (WOWK) – Basketball legend and West Virginia native Jerry West knew thousands of people, and millions knew him, but it’s safe to say one person who knew him best lives in Logan County, West Virginia.

Willie Akers has been able to call Jerry West his friend for nearly 70 years. The pair met at the leadership academy, Mountaineer Boys State, in 1955 and the rest is history. The news of West’s passing has made Wednesday a tough day for Akers. The last time the two spoke was just Tuesday.

The duo agreed to play at WVU together and did everything they could by each other’s side while they were in Morgantown.

“We were there from that time on. It was just a dream because we studied together, took classes together – everywhere we went was together,” Akers said. “And sometimes people thought there was something wrong with us ’cause we were playing ball and that was it. But we had a wonderful life and friendship from that time up until the very last minute.”

But when they were in high school, they competed against one another. When asked if he preferred playing with or against West, Akers knew his answer without hesitation.

“With him. He was too good to play against, but he was just a certain kinda guy that everybody liked him and they appreciated what he did,” Akers said.

The pair of friends both played in the inaugural game at the Logan Field House in 1958, which is now called the Willie Akers Arena. In that game, West Virginia University played William and Mary College, with WVU taking home the win.

Akers remembers his dear friend as a humble man who was more than just his legendary basketball career. Akers says becoming “The Logo” didn’t change that.

“He didn’t think he was worthy of it,” Akers said. “It’s the truth! I know he’s proud of it but he said that ‘I don’t know, it’s okay.’ But that’s the way he is. He has all of these trophies and whatnot in the Greenbrier where he owns the restaurant with Jim Justice. And all that stuff means nothing to him.”

Akers tells WOWK 13 News West was far more charitable than anyone really knows because he didn’t make a big deal of his actions.

“Jerry West was a person that didn’t want people to know what he had done. He liked to be in the background of it, but he didn’t want anybody giving him any publicity for it. I could name you many things that he has done for the university, but I’m not going to get into that because he didn’t want me to,” Akers said.

Beyond the public moments, there were also some very private ones. Over the years, Jerry West has spoken of his struggles with depression, and Akers was one of the people who helped him pull through some of the darkest times.

The two have shared milestones in their lives and their families’ lives throughout their decades of friendship, and now Akers and their families are mourning this monumental loss together.