William P "Bill" Adams

William P (Bill) Adams, 89, of Des Moines WA, passed away at home on May 1, 2023.

Born September 2, 1933, in Glendale CA, to William H Adams and Pauline May (Lehman) Adams.

Bill moved to Washington state after graduating high school in Glendale and attended the University of Puget Sound, where he earned a business degree and was enrolled in ROTC.  He summited Mt. Rainier on his 19th birthday and continued his love for hiking and the outdoors well into his 80’s.

He met his future wife, Patricia DeMars, at college, and they were wed on July 9, 1955.  Bill served in the United States Air Force through the end of the 1950’s, attaining the rank of Captain.  

Bill had a 29 year career at Boeing, where he was a Senior Manager in Contract Administration.

After retirement, Bill focused his energies on the many activities he was passionate about - including family, photography and all things camera related, travel to Arizona in winter, boating and fishing.  Summers were spent at his beach home in Grapeview, WA.  Bill was keenly interested in anything with 2 wheels and a motor - his nickname was Scooter Bill.  Bill was also an aspiring musician, taking up the ukulele and banjo late in life.  He also loved sports and enjoyed watching all of the Seattle teams,  most recently the Kraken.  Bill was also passionate about the environment and was active in a host of climate issues.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia L Adams, and daughter-in-law, Joy M Adams.  And survived by his three sons; William Patrick Adams, Scott DeMars Adams, Christopher Paul Adams, and two granddaughters, Julie R Adams and Rebecca J Adams.

Memorial service will be Sunday May 21st, 2:00pm at Saltwater Unitarian Universalist Church 25701 14th Pl So, Des Moines, WA 98198,  with Reverend Kristen Kuriga officiating. 

Internment will be Friday June 9th, 9:00am at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA 98042. 

Memorials or donations may be made to Columbia Riverkeeper (columbiariverkeeper.org).

Please send any and all flowers to 23255 27th Ave So, Des Moines, WA 98198. Flower deliveries are unable to be accepted at the church, thank you.

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