William “Bill” Adams joined the saints in Heaven on Monday, February 8, 2016, surrounded by all of his children and many of his grandchildren. Bill is survived by his wife Iola, four sons – Billy, David, Don, and Steve, and daughter Julia and their families including 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; one brother Don; and many other relatives and loved ones.

Bill joined the Navy during WWII and served for four years. He piloted landing craft in two invasions of the Philippines and once in Okinawa. His job was to put soldiers and supplies on shore and return the wounded to the ship. He had vivid memories of watching the Kamikaze raids.

In 1951, Bill married his sweetheart Iola and for over 64 years together, built a life of love and happiness, and raised 5 children. Bill graduated from Texas A&M University College Station in 1952, with a degree in Industrial Arts. He was a City Planner in El Paso for twenty years, and after retirement he became a real estate appraiser.

Bill loved music. We fondly remember him singing solos or duets during church services, especially his favorite – How Great Thou Art. Not only did he sing in the choir at church, he would stand in as music director on many occasions. He also served as a deacon for many, many years and in several different churches. Due to his great love for his children, he and Iola taught them to walk in faith and love in our Lord Jesus Christ. His kindness extended far beyond the walls of his home, and he would often seek out people to help and serve them in any way God led him. Through his witness, he led not only his children to have a personal relationship with Jesus, but many, many people to Christ where they found salvation through the redeeming grace of God. What better legacy?