David R. Adams

1941 - 2025

David R. Adams
Bear Lake, Michigan
10/03/1941 - 11/12/2025
David R. Adams, age 84, of Bear Lake, Michigan, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025, surrounded by his family at a hospital in Pensacola, Florida, and entered into the presence of our Lord.
Dave was born on October 3, 1941, in Highland Park, Michigan, the son of the late Selwyn and Marguerite (Partlow) Adams. He attended Wayne State University in Detroit. On April 11, 1964, he was united in marriage to Wilamenia Markey at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Detroit. He was a longtime member of Arcadia Trinity Lutheran Church in Arcadia, Michigan.
Dave began his career as a milkman, delivering for Twin Pines Dairy in the Detroit suburbs. In 1972, his love for "the north" inspired him to relocate to Northern Michigan, where he worked for Vogler Lumber Company and Onekama Supply. In 1978, he purchased Bear Lake Hardware & Supply. After his children later assumed ownership of the business, Dave retired with his wife, Willie, to their cherished second home in Gulf Shores/Foley, Alabama.
Service to others was at the heart of Dave's life. A proud Eagle Scout, he continued to pass down that legacy of service to his son and grandson, who also became Eagle Scouts. Dave served as King Lion for both the Onekama and Bear Lake Lions Clubs, and he was a retired volunteer firefighter with the Onekama and Bear Lake Township Fire Departments. He was one of the early founders of the Bear Lake Promoters and served in numerous leadership roles, including as Chair for the Northwest Council of Government and the Michigan Lumber Association.
His dedication extended across many community organizations, including the Manistee IDC, the Manistee Chamber of Commerce, the Kedde-Norconk Library, and more. Dave was honored as Manistee County Man of the Year and Michigan Lumbermen of the Year.
Dave enjoyed bridge, golf, reading, fishing, and cheering on the University of Michigan football team. Above all, he cherished his family and was profoundly proud of each one of them.
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Wilamenia "Willie" Markey Adams of Bear Lake; his children, Kimberly (Chris) Ware and Sean (Heidi) Adams, both of Bear Lake; and his grandchildren, Jason (Bridget) Ware of Frankfort, Jacob (Kristin) Ware of Byron Center, Jenna Ware of Grand Rapids, Katelyn (Dallas) Hearit of Warren, and Jonathan Adams (Peyton) of Grand Rapids.
He also leaves behind great-grandchildren William Wallace, Cheyenne Ware, Collee (Connor) Bradley, Trace (Natalie) Ware, Macy Wallace, Jacob Jauregui, Celia, Carolynn, and Lincoln Ware; and GGpa to Harper Hearit. He was also blessed with a great-great-grandson, Hudson Ware. Additional survivors include his brother, Dan Adams; sister, Diane Smith; sister-in-law, Pam Markey; beloved nieces and nephews; and many friends both in Michigan and within The Grove Community in Alabama.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents; stepfathers, Ronald Morrison and Ernest Nardone; parents-in-law, Frank and Marjorie Markey; sister, Patricia Lee; brothers-in-law, Ken Lee, Jim Markey, and Bill Markey; and grandson, Josh Ware.
A funeral service will be held in Michigan in early June.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church of Arcadia Endowment Fund.