William E. Adams, age 85, passed away with family at his side on August 28, 2019.

Born in Conneaut, Ohio, to Kenneth Adams and Olive (Guernsey) Adams-Houghtaling. He was married to Mildred M. (Braden) Adams for 48 years. He was a graduate of Rowe High School. 

A self-taught Bluegrass singer and musician, he performed on stage in many states, becoming known as "The Godfather of Bluegrass" by his friends. He performed on Conneaut WWOW radio, Ashtabula "Rural Rhythms" TV show, Erie channel WQLN, the Circle Theater in Cleveland and the Wheeling Jamboree in West Virginia as well as many local venues. He performed with his childhood friend "John Stump and the Flatlanders," recorded an album with Arc Records entitled "Pickin and Singin BlueGrass Style" with Charlie McVay and the Lone Pine Boys, and for many years co-sponsored a bluegrass festival at Jim-n-I Country Music park in Pennsylvania. 

He was a skilled auto mechanic, buying and restoring many antique cars. He worked in manufacturing, facility maintenance, the P&C Dock Co. and he retired from the Conneaut Water Works in 1997.  

Survivors include his children: Deborah (Kirk) Richmond, Ft. Myers, FL, Carolyn (George) Dixon, Ashtabula, OH, Kimberly (Bryan) Hays, Redlands, CA, and Randy (Delores) Adams, Ashtabula, OH; his grandchildren: Kiel (Beth) Richmond, Kayla (John) Miller, Kenneth Richmond, Jennifer Dixon, Emily Hays, Gage (Ashley) Adams and Braxton (Savannah) Adams; his Great Grandchildren: Grayson and Carys Richmond, Harper and Jack Miller and Paige Adams; and one brother Edward Houghtaling of Plattsburgh, NY. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Mildred; his brothers, Clarence Adams, Roy Adams; and sister Sarah (Adams) Wells.