STERLING – William E. Adams, 95, of Sterling, died Sunday, February 9, 2020, at Rock River Hospice & Home.

He was born on December 15, 1924, in Sterling, the son of John Quincy Ruby E. (Peterson) Adams, and he served in the US Marines during WW II. He married Nellie J. Hill on August 3, 1946, in Rock Falls. Bill had been an agent for Kelly Williamson Oil for over 40 years. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church; the Sterling American Legion Post 296; and a past member and president of Lions Club. Bill was an avid golfer, reader, and artistic painter. He took great pride in working in his yard and doing landscaping at home and at church.

Survivors include his wife, Nellie; his daughter, Cathy Garland (Julie Cronk) of Sterling; his grandchildren, Nicole Briar and Ryan (Brittany) Garland; his great-grandchildren, Emma and Amelia Garland, Morgan and Taylor Briar.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, John Quincy Adams Jr.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday February 12, 2020 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church in Sterling. The funeral will follow at 1 p.m. in the church. Burial with military honors will conclude at Oak Knoll Memorial Park. Arrangements by McDonald Funeral Homes.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Happy Tails and the Sterling Public Library for Large Print Books.