Adam, William 'Bill'

After a courageous battle with cancer, William “Bill” Adam passed away March 26, 2010, at Jefferson County Health Center, Fairfield, surrounded by his family. Visitation will be at 4 p.m. Monday, March 29, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Fairfield (32nd Street location), with prayer service beginning at 7 p.m. Funeral will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with burial at Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield. Behner Funeral Home, Fairfield, is in charge of arrangements.

Bill is survived by his wife of 36 years, Jane; daughter, Brandi Adam and friend Chris Mueller of Cedar Rapids; sons, Brent Adam and wife Lena of Richland and Troy Adam and friend Amanda Vittetoe of Packwood; mother, Evelyn Adam of Richland; sisters, Marsha (Jerome) Sieren of Cedar Rapids, Diana (Mike) Hammes of Davenport and Sharon (Randy) Gray of Sammamish, Wash.; grandsons, William and Henry Adam; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Adam.

William Gene Adam was born Feb. 5, 1952, to Donald and Evelyn (Sobaski) Adam. He attended Pekin High School and then became a member of the National Guard of Washington. He married Jane Kessel on March 30, 1974, and they lived on the home farm for many years, where they raised their children and made their livelihood growing corn, soybeans, cattle and hogs. Bill farmed with his father for many years around the Richland and Packwood area. He continued that farming tradition with his sons on the home farm that his parents started.

Bill was a member of the Elks Lodge, served as former Farm Bureau president for Jefferson County, was a board member for Iowa State Bank & Trust Co., and was an honorary member of the Bombay Club. He was a member of Mother Cabrini Catholic Church in Richland for many years and a current member of St. Mary's Church in Fairfield.

Bill loved spending time with friends, especially on his Bin Buster boat at Lake of the Ozarks.

Aside from his passion for farming, Bill's greatest joy was his family, especially his grandsons, who he always thought wore halos everywhere they went.

Bill never knew a stranger, and will always be remembered for his enormous bear hugs and the generosity he extended to so many. He lives on in our hearts as a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He will be missed tremendously.

Memorials can be made in lieu of flowers to the American Cancer Society, St. Mary's Catholic Church of Fairfield, or Jefferson County Health Center.

Cards and memorials can be sent to the Adam Family, 1002 Greentree Ave., Richland, IA 52585.