William Kennith Adkins

William Kennith "Ken" Adkins age 77 of Marion, Ohio passed away Friday, January 23, 2026, surrounded by his family.

He was born September 11, 1948, in Louisa, KY to the late Jack and Clara Pauline (Donley) Adkins.

Ken graduated from Fort Gay High School in 1966; he was an Honorable Discharged U.S. Navy Veteran serving during the Vietnam War as a Boatswain Mate Third Class and in the Navy Reserve for a total of 35 years.

On August 14, 1971 Ken was united in marriage to Vicki Echelberry, together they have celebrated 54 years of marriage.

He worked at Norfolk and Western Railroad/ Norfolk and Southern Railroad for 38 years as a Roadmaster/machinist. He volunteered at TheMarion Auxiliary Sheriff's Department for 15 years. He also had time to manage/coach the semi pro baseball team in Cardington, Ohio in 1979 and the 1980's.

In his younger years he enjoyed building and flying RC aircraft, collecting and displaying HO model trains. As he got older, he loved buying and repairing pocket watches. However, his true passion was to rebuild damaged Harley Davidson Motorcycles to ride and enjoy with his beloved wife Vicki to multiple destinations in Ohio and across the states.

Family was important to Ken, he loved taking vacations with his family to Myrtle Beach and Florida. He spent time after work teaching his children bird sounds, bike riding, swimming, listening to music (60s-70s) and dancing with his wife. These activities provided several story telling opportunities that he enjoyed passing on to his grandchildren. He also had many Vietnam stories that family and friends found entertaining.

He is survived and will be greatly missed by his wife, Vicki (Echelberry) Adkins of Marion, his children, Tiffini Lasch of Marion and William (Kenni) Adkins, Jr of Marion, his five grandchildren, Riley Adkins of Delaware, Jack Adkins of Marion, Joseph "Colton" Andrade of Marion, Whitney Adkins of Marion, Eli Adkins of Marion, his siblings, Sue Cooksey of Louisa, KY, Jackie (Terry) Meredith of Fort Gay, WV, Anita (Lanny) Lester of Gallipolis, OH, Timothy Adkins of Louisville, KY and numerous nieces, nephews and remaining family and friends.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Jack & Clara Pauline Adkins.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Richland Road Church of Christ, 535 Richland Road, Marion, Ohio 43302. Services will begin at 3:00 pm at the church with Matt Dahm officiating. Burial will take place at Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio at a later date.

The family would like to thank Dr. Lauf's office and staff, OSU Wexner Medical Cancer Center, Tranquility Hospice and Veterans Administration for their care and support.

The Snyder Funeral Home is honored to be helping the family during this difficult time. Online condolence may be expressed to the family at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com