My Family Tree

Death


Person	William “Bill” Preston Adams
Date	10/25/2017

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William "Bill" Preston Adams passed away early Wednesday morning, Oct. 25, after a long battle and illness. Born August 16, 1948, in Gastonia, NC, Bill was the son of Minor Revere and Esther Rodgers Reid Adams. Bill was the baby brother and surprise of the family with three older siblings, Minor Revere "Chuck" Adams Jr., Sarah Adams Abernethy and Esther Adams Hunnicutt. A graduate of Christ School in Arden, NC, and Erskine College, Bill lived in Gastonia all his life. He loved and was so proud of his family, his treasured wife, Becky, daughter Elizabeth Adams McMillan and son William Preston "Pres" Adams, Jr., son in law Reid, and two grandsons, Wallace and Charles. An avid sports fan, he loved the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Braves, Charlotte Hornets and Duke Blue Devils (despite sending two children to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). Bill spent years traveling throughout North and South Carolina selling sporting and collegiate goods. Earlier in his career, he worked for Adidas and was named Sales Representative of the Year in 1985. He cherished his time "on the road" and the friends he made during 40 years in the business, yet never missed a game, recital, swim meet or cross country meet (which he often compared to watching paint dry). Bill was always reading the newest book and was a history buff. He was known to read good books more than once; his favorites were ones about Teddy Roosevelt and the Civil War. Later in life, he looked forward most to his annual Civil War excursions with the Mississippi and North Carolina Brigades to Gettysburg, Vicksburg and other battlefields throughout the South. A lifelong member, Deacon and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, Bill served and chaired various committees at the Church. He would always tell that he was there when the church was built and wrote his name on the steeple before it was erected. He was private about his faith, but cared deeply about the church and its' members. Since he traveled so often for work, Bill liked his home away from home in North Myrtle Beach, the Adams Sandcastle. Riding the waves and listening to the Braves on the radio or just sitting by the pool was his idea of heaven. Known for his wit and sense of humor, even in the end, he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. In addition to his brother and sisters, wife and children, Bill is survived by his mother in law, Jane Froneberger; brother-in-law and best friend, Bo Abernethy; brother-in-law and wife, Bob and Sharon Froneberger, and their children plus dozens of nieces and nephews in the Adams' Clan. Preceded in death by his parents; his father in law, Charles Augustus Froneberger; his brother in law, Dick Hunnicutt; nephew Reid Hunnicutt; niece, Jill Abernethy; inlaw and friend, Wallace McMillan and dog, Sadie. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the First Presbyterian Church, 1621 E Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28054 The service to honor Bill's life will be held Saturday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Gastonia. The family will receive friends on Friday, Oct. 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. at McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia.

William "Bill" Preston Adams passed away early Wednesday morning, Oct. 25, after a long battle and illness.

Born August 16, 1948, in Gastonia, NC, Bill was the son of Minor Revere and Esther Rodgers Reid Adams. Bill was the baby brother and surprise of the family with three older siblings, Minor Revere "Chuck" Adams Jr., Sarah Adams Abernethy and Esther Adams Hunnicutt. A graduate of Christ School in Arden, NC, and Erskine College,

Bill lived in Gastonia all his life.

He loved and was so proud of his family, his treasured wife, Becky, daughter Elizabeth Adams McMillan and son William Preston "Pres" Adams, Jr., son in law Reid, and two grandsons, Wallace and Charles.

An avid sports fan, he loved the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Braves, Charlotte Hornets and Duke Blue Devils (despite sending two children to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill).

Bill spent years traveling throughout North and South Carolina selling sporting and collegiate goods. Earlier in his career, he worked for Adidas and was named Sales Representative of the Year in 1985. He cherished his time "on the road" and the friends he made during 40 years in the business, yet never missed a game, recital, swim meet or cross country meet (which he often compared to watching paint dry).

Bill was always reading the newest book and was a history buff. He was known to read good books more than once; his favorites were ones about Teddy Roosevelt and the Civil War. Later in life, he looked forward most to his annual Civil War excursions with the Mississippi and North Carolina Brigades to Gettysburg, Vicksburg and other battlefields throughout the South. A lifelong member, Deacon and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, Bill served and chaired various committees at the Church. He would always tell that he was there when the church was built and wrote his name on the steeple before it was erected. He was private about his faith, but cared deeply about the church and its' members.

Since he traveled so often for work, Bill liked his home away from home in North Myrtle Beach, the Adams Sandcastle. Riding the waves and listening to the Braves on the radio or just sitting by the pool was his idea of heaven. Known for his wit and sense of humor, even in the end, he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his brother and sisters, wife and children, Bill is survived by his mother in law, Jane Froneberger; brother-in-law and best friend, Bo Abernethy; brother-in-law and wife, Bob and Sharon Froneberger, and their children plus dozens of nieces and nephews in the Adams' Clan.

Preceded in death by his parents; his father in law, Charles Augustus Froneberger; his brother in law, Dick Hunnicutt; nephew Reid Hunnicutt; niece, Jill Abernethy; inlaw and friend, Wallace McMillan and dog, Sadie.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the First Presbyterian Church, 1621 E Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28054

The service to honor Bill's life will be held Saturday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Gastonia.

The family will receive friends on Friday, Oct. 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. at McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia.

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