William Gardner Adair

William Gardner Adair, Jr, known as Bill, went to be with the Lord on May 24, 2023.

Born in Gastonia, North Carolina in 1950, Bill would often entertain friends and family with stories of his youth, including camping trips on Crowder's Mountain, riding the bread delivery route with his father, starting a garage band with his buddies (Bill played the drums), racing his 65' GTO, and so many more.

A turning point in Bill's life came in 1969 when he enlisted in the U.S. Airforce. At the time, it seemed like a cross between a last resort and a decision made on a whim. But God's hand was on Bill even then, and it was that decision that brought him to Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, Louisiana. And it was in Louisiana that he met the love of his life and wife of 51 years, Carol.

Bill's journey to Louisiana also set him on a path to a close walk with the Lord. He gave his life to Christ and was baptized in 1971. One of his favorite quotes was from his pastor in Tennessee that goes, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."

For Bill, that was honesty and integrity, with Christ as the center.

At 13, Bill realized he wanted to be an architect, a goal realized after attending Louisiana Tech University and receiving his Bachelor of Architecture in 1978 and his first architecture license in 1981. At one point, he was licensed to practice in 19 states! Bill worked for 60 years in construction and architecture, retiring three times, only coming out of retirement again and again because of his passion for his craft. He is the perfect example of "do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life."

Even though he thought becoming a licensed architect would be the high point of his life, that paled in comparison to his passion for his family. He said the birth of his daughter was the most miraculous moment, and life didn't get any better. But that was before grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his wife, Carol, daughter, Abby, son-in-law, Bryan, grandsons, Jonathan (wife, Megan) and Hayden, and great-grandchildren, Bentley, Charlotte, and Juliet.