William M. Adams

William M. Adams, 83, of Vernon, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, April 3, after a courageous battle with stomach cancer.

Bill was born and raised in Manchester. He graduated from the UConn School of Pharmacy in 1961 and worked at Lenox Pharmacy in Manchester before becoming an entrepreneur in 1978. He was fascinated by the world and never met an interest he couldn't embrace. Exploring New England, biking, enjoying fine wine and music, supporting the UConn Huskies and, of course, reading! Bill was a voracious reader and loved to share his discoveries, often buying multiple copies of a new favorite tome, painstakingly highlighting important passages and distributing them with zeal. His family will forever miss the newspaper clippings arriving without preamble in the mail, as he shared his interests and encouraged theirs. Bill was blessed to share his life with two loving, inspirational and courageous women. Martie, with whom he raised the high-spirited Adams Girls, and Doe, who laughed as she embraced this clan and filled his final years with love and adventure.

Bill is survived by his loving wife Doe; daughters and sons-in-law, Carrie and Michael McGill, Leanne Adams and Jim Garbenis, Christine and John Dittrich, Pam Costa; and dozens of loving grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and extended family. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Martie in 2011. Bill was a loving father, husband, grandfather, and friend to everyone.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 8, at St. James Cemetery on Broad Street in Manchester at 11 a.m. The family will greet friends at an open house celebrating his life following the service at Quail Hollow II clubhouse at 34 Vista View Ext., Vernon, from 1 to 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The American Cancer Society or First Congregational Church of Vernon.

For online condolences, please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements are private.