William Adams
(December 5, 1925 - July 22, 2015)

William Melvin Adams, 89, of Huntington, WV, passed peacefully on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, surrounded by his daughters and caregivers. The son of Gladys and Curtis Adams, Mel was born and raised in Scott County, Virginia. He attended the University of Tennessee and Knoxville Business College, and was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving as a Yeoman on the troop carrier, USS Lurline, sailing the Pacific 14 times during WWII. Sent by a Knoxville accounting firm to Whitesburg, Kentucky in 1948, he met his soon-to-be wife Jean Addington. 16 years later, after entering the coal mining machinery business, he moved his wife and 3 children to Huntington. He was the President of Elmac Corporation, a successful mining machinery company, until his early retirement in 1974. They moved to Florida in 1976, where he resided until a few years after Jean passed away.  Mel is survived by sisters Inez Collins (Hicks) of Kingsport, TN, Serena Stewart of Mt. Carmel, TN and a brother Raymond Adams (Estle) of Knoxville, TN. Additional survivors include son Gary Adams (Alicia) of Huntington, and daughters Kim Wilson (C. E.) of Huntington and Deborah Cooper (Greg) of Cynthiana, KY; grandchildren: Bonner Adams (Sarah) of Huntington, WV, Taylor Adams (Jennifer) of Winston-Salem, NC, Matthew Cooper (Erin) of Richmond, KY, Anna Cooper of Fort Collins, CO, Lindsay Taylor (Jarrod) of University City, MO and Clint Wilson (Natalie) of Houston, TX and seven great grandchildren. The family wants to especially thank caregivers Dolly Julian, Sue Barnhard and Benna Grube, as well as family friend Staige Davis, who visited Mel often and drank his booze (or so Mel claimed). A special thanks goes to long-time family friends Frances Burcham (deceased) and Louis Heaberlin, who brought much joy to Mel and Jean over many, many years. Although an avid businessman, fisherman and golfer, he was first and foremost a caring and loving family man, always seeking to improve the lives of those around him, whether they were family or friend. He is certainly to be missed, but will not be forgotten by those who were fortunate to have enjoyed his company. Services for Mel will be private for family. The Family requests that any Memorials be made to Hospice of Huntington or the charity of one's choice.