William "Billy" Joseph Adams

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of William J. Adams, who left us quietly at his home on August 14, 2025, in Cleveland, Tennessee. Born on February 27, 1956, in Libertyville, Illinois, however, he was raised in Grayslake, Il. This is where he met and married his wife, Deborah. Together for 51 years they bought a home and raised their 3 children.

Bill thoroughly enjoyed riding motorcycles from a very young age and was very active in a Goldwing chapter that took them on adventures around the US. He did do his share of hunting, fishing and camping with his family. Bill has been a machinist for 53 years. He worked a large part of those years with E. H. Wachs in Illinois, both running a CNC machine and working his way up in management as shop foreman there. In 2015 he made Cleveland his new home and found a job working in town at Quality Machining Service. Working there brought him new friends and a new group to ride the area roads in the mountains. He relished the climate to ride his motorcycle year-round and brag to his friends up north in the snow how he was still able to ride in December. Bill also loved working around the house playing in the pool with his great grandkids or circling the yard on his lawn mower.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Evaline and Sam Adams; grandmother, Mary Adams; grandchildren, David Stevenson and Michael Stevenson.

Survived by Deborah Adams, love of his life for 51 years; daughter, Christine Adams; sons, William Adams Jr. (Keri), Michael Adams (Sandra); grandchildren, Ashlee and Hayden Adams; great grandchildren, Elijah, Delilah, Cameron, Timothy and Lumen; sister, Kathye Brammann (Jim); nephews, Nicholas Kanka (Jane), Brian Kanka (Justin), Donny Marander.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 25, 2025, at Poole Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. prior to the service.

Everyone is invited to a luncheon following the service for a celebration of Billy’s life at Berywood Farm at 230 Connor Road, Cleveland, Tn. 37312.