Kings, Illinois

William F. Adams, 87, passed away on October 9, 2017. He was one of thirteen children born to Fredrick and Hattie (Bulthous) Adams on January 4, 1930 in White Rock Township, IL.

William took Marjorie Landaker to be his wife on October 4, 1952. Devoted to each other for 65 years, the couple raised five children: Steven Adams of Rochelle, Susan Rice of Arizona, Scott (Sharon) Adams of Colorado, Stanley (Lisa) Adams of Colorado and Sandra (Richard) Pelka of Kings. William and Marjorie's family has grown to include eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings: Audrey Daub and DeWayne Adams.

William is preceded in death by his parents, Fredrick Harms and Hattie (Bulthous) Adams and ten siblings: Marie Frericks, Benjamin Adams, Fredrick Adams, Kathryn Gerwing, LaVerne Adams, Harold Adams, Harriet Gocken, Herman Adams, Gerald Adams, and Betty Lou.

William, known as "Grandpa Bill", shared his love and knowledge of fishing to anyone that took an interest. A special event no child would miss was watching Grandpa Bill clean fish.

Besides taking pride in house and yard, William mastered the art of growing a huge garden his family relied on for produce. Over the years and as children left home, the garden would become smaller; the pleasure of eating things straight from the vine lessened.

As a young man, William was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Army for two years during the Korean Conflict from 1952 thru 1954. Upon returning home, he drove truck and farmed. As his family grew even larger, he worked as a carpenter for Black Hawk Builders of Byron while still trying to farm. After a severe back injury, he could not return to carpentry work. In 1977, William was hired on as Kings Grade School's custodian, where children and staff so fondly referred to him as simply "Mr. Bill". Mr. Bill worked at the school up until 1995 and at the age of 65, he retired.

William also served his community as White Rock Township's Road Commissioner and maintained the grounds at White Rock Cemetery. He was a member of the Rochelle VFW, Rochelle Moose, and the Rochelle Conservation Club.

There will be a private inurnment at a later date. To honor William, "Mr. Bill", Adam's life, memorials may be made to Kings Grade School, 100 1st Street, Kings, IL 61068, Attention: Jodi Horn. Cremation care has been provided by the Unger-Horner Funeral Home. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.