William C. "Billy" Adams' Obituary
William C. "Billy" Adams, passed away at his home in Athens, TN on November 5th, 2023, at the ripe young age of 96 with his children at his side.
Billy was born at home in Cedar hill, TN on August 28, 1927. He graduated from Isaac Litton High School in Nashville, where he was a standout athlete and All-Nashville baseball pitcher. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1950.Billy served as an aviator in the U.S. Navy during the last months of World War II. He had a long and distinguished banking career in Tennessee, including serving as president of banks in Sweetwater, Maryville, and Niota. He served as president of the Tennessee Bankers Association and on the governing council of the American Bankers Association. In 1983, he was appointed by Governor Lamar Alexander as Tennessee Commissioner of Financial Institutions and had the unfortunate task of presiding over the largest bank failure in U.S. history (at the time) – United American Bank in Knoxville. He was respected and revered by co-workers and former employees, and by many for his numerous civic and charitable activities.
Billy had an amazing passion for life and a wide range of interests including music, history, sports, joke telling, hiking, traveling, architecture, and landscaping – to name a few. He loved golf and reached his goal of shooting his age at 78. He often wrote poetry and could recite numerous poems by heart.
In his later years, Billy savored many simple pleasures such as sunshine, hot tubs, gin rummy, junk food, cocktail hour, and cigarette smoking (his “vitamins”) – which he jokingly credited for his long life. He loved his family and was a beloved husband, father to his two children, and grandfather to his five grandchildren, who knew him as “Pa”.
Billy was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Ann Sneed Adams, father James E. Adams, mother Ruth Matthews Adams Butler, brothers James M. Adams and Don C. Adams, sisters Mozelle Adams Core and Elizabeth Adams Ferguson, and companion of several years, Frances Graves.
Billy is survived by his son Bill Adams (Allison) of Nashville, daughter Annette Bradley (Doug) of Lynchburg, VA., grandchildren Will and Rob Gordon, Caroline Adams (Dan Hubbell), Camille Adams (John Karvonen), Nate Adams, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family expresses its gratitude to Home Helpers Home Care of Cleveland, TN, Dr. Charles Cox of Athens, and Hearth Hospice for their compassionate and professional care during his final years.
A private family graveside service will be held at Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery in Nashville. Memorials may be sent to Friends of the Smokies: P.O. Box 1660, Kodak, TN 37764 or the YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee: https://www.ywcanashville.com/get-involved/donate/.
What’s your fondest memory of William?
What’s a lesson you learned from William?
Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
How did William make you smile?