Bill Adair

Bill Adair was born on July 28, 1933, in Cleveland County, NC, to Joseph Lee and Alice (Bridges) Adair. Dad was a child of the Great Depression and the youngest of seven children. He grew up with an extended family of cousins, as well as nieces and nephews who were close to his age. In cahoots with his beloved eldest brother Charlie, who lived nearby, and his brother Colen (who spoiled him a bit when on leave from the Army), Dad was a notorious prankster. His sisters Shirley and Eunice were the targets of these escapades, which live on in family lore. As a boy growing up in a rural setting, Dad became a very handy fellow in gardening and fixing most anything. Dad was introduced to Martha Walls through their lifelong best friends Donald and Opal Russ, and that was that. Mom and Dad got married on September 26, 1953, and were a “pair” for seventy years, until Mom’s passing in September 2023. Bill and Martha had a happy life, raising two children, Carol and Scott, frugally, always with the aim of making sure the kids were able to go to college and to be whatever they wanted to be. Although not extravagant in monetary ways, it was extravagant in love, friendships and helping others whenever a need was perceived. For forty years Bob and Phyllis Queen lived next door and became closest friends and extended family members. After retirement from four decades as a supervisor for Belmont Hosiery Company, Dad agreed to move Mom to Washington DC area to look after their daughter and grand-dog, Daisy; after several years they moved with them to Dallas, TX, before all returned to Winston-Salem, NC. After twenty-five years of retirement and fun times, travel and adventures with Carol, Scott and Amy (Scott’s wife), Dad was pretty tired, and lonesome for Martha, and decided it was time to “Fly Away”. Dad is survived by his children and daughter-in-law, his dog Hazel, nieces, Pat Summers, Mary Alice Auten, Mary Baker, and Jackie Madewell, and their families. He is also survived by many friends, young and old, he has made on his journey. We will all miss him; but we are truly happy that he is reunited with the other half of the “pair”, and with so many long-missed loved ones, including the furry ones Hilda, Daisy, Abbey, Bouncer, and Albert. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, January 9, 2026, at Harmony Grove United Methodist Church with Rev. Ryan Mendenhall officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Harmony Grove United Methodist Church in Lewisville for the Building Fund.