Walter G Adams

Walter G Adams, age 101, went to be with the Lord, on January 15, 2022, while residing in Boone, North Carolina, with his son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Carol Adams. Walter, the son of Bruce and Mae Wills Adams, was born in Mountain City, Tennessee, on May 30, 1920.

Walter graduated from Johnson County High School in 1938. He attended Wesleyan College (now University) in Athens, Tennessee, where he completed a two-year program focusing on zoology and chemistry. In the fall of 1941, he went to work for the Tennessee Eastman Corporation. His employment with Eastman piqued his interest in photography which became a life-long hobby. As did many young men of the time, Walter joined the army to fight for his country during WW ll. He was stationed stateside at Camp Lee, Virginia, serving as a medic in orthopedics placing casts on injured limbs. Following the war, he returned to school where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a Master of Science degree in entomologyfrom the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Walter specialized in the field of entomology (scientific study of insects) and after a brief position teaching and working for a private exterminating company, he began a 31-year career with the United States Air Force as a civilian on-base at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Fairborn, Ohio. As an entomologist, Walter traveled extensively resolving pest management problems (insects, rodents, birds) forthe Air Force keeping the bases free of pests that may carry infectious diseases as well as repelling birds from airfields that may interfere with safe takeoffs and landings. He retired from federal civil service in 1983.

Walter married Alice Eula Howard of Mountain City, Tennessee,in 1942; they were married 72 years until her passing in 2015. He described her as “a loving, caring, supportive spouse and dear mother to our children who diligently taught them to be obedient to God’s word.” They had four children (all surviving):son William Adams (Sacha) of Indianapolis, Indiana, and their children: Alicia Adams VanMeter (Jeff); Ben Adams; Katie Adams Mercer (Joe); Elizabeth Adams McMullen (Chris); Abigail Adams Scott (Ryan); Amanda Adams Jacobs (Jordon); Wil Adams (Allison); son Joseph Adams (Jody) of Columbus, Ohio, and their children: Jeremy Adams (Carly); Jonathan Adams; Robert Adams (Corinne); Suzanne Adams; daughter Trudy Adams Kittle (Kim) of Mountain City, Tennessee, and their children: Leah Kittle Schumacher (Bret); Jesse Kittle (Elizabeth); Carly Kittle Greer (Justin); son Greg Adams (Carol) of Boone, North Carolina, and their children: Rick Adams (Amanda); Hallie Adams Canan (Tim); Ben Adams (Brooke); Matthew Adams (Deva).

Walter was preceded in death by 8 siblings: Paul Adams (Edna) of Mountain City, Tennessee; Irene Adams Shoun (Jimmy) of Columbia, South Carolina; John Adams (Margaret) of Greely, Colorado; Lucille Adams Apple (Glen) of Cincinnati, Ohio; Betty Adams Garland (Raymond) of Cincinnati, Ohio; Sam Adams (Lois Ann) of Mountain City, Tennessee; Worley Adams (Ann) of Cincinnati, Ohio; Eva Adams Brannon (Max) of Columbia, South Carolina.

Walter knew a little bit about everything. He could and would talk to anyone. He loved people; especially the numerous grandchildren (19) and the great grandchildren (49), and they loved him. Every new grandchild was, quote: ‘the cutest baby he had ever seen’.  Walter cherished his Bible, and he loved the Lord. He valued relationships. ‘His limitless optimism gave us hope and encouragement. As is no man; he wasn’t perfect, but he was great. He left us a legacy of grace, love, and faith.’

A family and friend memorial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of those who may wish to send flowers, donations may be made in memory of

Walter G Adams to the Billy Graham Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC, 28201, or contact them at billygraham.org

Online condolences may be sent to the family at huxlipfordfh.com

The Walter Adams family have placed his arrangements in the care of Hux & Lipford Funeral Home, Mountain City, TN