William Kiger Adams, Jr age 87 of Tecumseh passed away on Monday, December 8, 2025 at home with his family by his side. He was born October 1, 1938 in Findley, OH the son of the late William Kiger and Erma Irene (Wagner) Adams, Sr. On April 11, 1992 in Tecumseh, he married Patricia Jeane (Lones) Bertke and they have been blessed with 33 years together.
William graduated from Montgomery County High School in Wayne, OH where he was an accomplished vocalist and sang in the Ohio State Choir as a senior. He graduated from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH. William started his employment with Dow Corning in Bowling Green, OH and retired from Wacker Chemical after 30 years as a Research Chemist. William was a frequent soloist and ensemblist and was loved for his beautiful tenor voice, singing with the JC Barber Shop Quartet of Tecumseh. He was a member of Tecumseh United Methodist Church since 1967, serving on many committees and was a member of the choir. William loved nature and traveling to many of the world’s most beautiful and natural wonders. He loved planting and harvesting his garden at home and maintaining the family farm in Wayne, OH that had been in his family for over 100 years. Growing up on the dairy and crop farm he learned many lessons from his father about farming. He also loved being out in nature camping, canoeing, fishing and on the golf course. William enjoyed bowling, football and was an avid baseball fan.
Along with his wife Patricia, William is survived by three daughters, Cynthia Bowers, Charlie (Benjamin Colmery) Adams and Debra (Dean) Franchi; two sons, Gregory Bertke and Jay B. (Nancy) Bertke; grandchildren, Britiany Bowers, McKenzie (Steven) Sulisz, William K. Adams III, Kristina (DJ) Rankin, Orienda, Anoria and Lorenzo Franchi, Eric (Lindsay) Bertke, Justin Bertke, Tasha (Steve) Thurman, Andrew (Tanya) Bertke and Jacob Bertke; 15great grandchildren and a daughter-in-law, Peggy Bertke. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by sons, Howard and Gale Bertke, son-in-law, Tony Bowers, brother Frank Adams and sister-in-law Betty Adams.
Memorial visitation will be from 11am – 1pm on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at the Tecumseh United Methodist Church. A memorial service will follow at 1pm with Pastor Jodi Cartwright officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations will support the Geriatrics Research on Aging & Age Related Disease and/or the Education & Research Support – Koelling (which supports ongoing education and research in cardiology) at the University of Michigan. Checks may be made payable to “University of Michigan” and sent to 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Suite 650, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Please include “in memory of William K. Adams Jr.” in the memo line of the check or in an attached note. You may also call 734-764-6777 or visit the following link to make your gift: https://victors.us/williamkadamsjr. Arrangements are under the care of the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes Online condolences may be made to the family at www.handlerfuneralhomes.com.