He was born July 6, 1932, in Salt Rock, West Virginia to the late Tennessee Marie (Porter) and James Hezekiah Adkins. Bill served in the US Army for 8 years and was stationed in Germany. He met the love of his life, Arvetta Griffith, in Kentucky and they married on December 2, 1961. They moved to Ohio shortly after, where Bill worked at Ohio Brass and Mansfield Ferrous Casting.
Bill’s entire world was his family. He was truly blessed with his five children. He relished spending time fishing with his sons and spoiling his daughter. He enjoyed reading the Bible, watching Westerns, playing cards, collecting coins and knives. Bill enjoyed sharing his experiences from growing up to his life in the Army, and raising his children.
Bill is survived by four children, William Adkins, James Adkins, Robert (Pam) Adkins, Angela (Anthony) Raymondo; daughter-in-law, Gretchen Adkins; eleven grandchildren, William Adkins, Daniel Adkins, Kelly Adkins, Robyn Adkins, Kayla (Ross) Copeland, Kristen Adkins, Scott Griffith, Amy (Aaron) Mitchell, Jessica Raymondo, Karly (Ian) Ernsberger and Kyle (Alyssa) Mitchell; sixteen great-grandchildren; special friend, Charles Lambert, whom he considered a brother, and his wife, Freda; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Arvetta Adkins; son, Anthony Adkins; granddaughter, Megan Adkins; brother, Cledith Adkins; and sister, Rachel.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm on Monday, July 6, 2026, at Wappner Funeral Directors and Crematory-Ontario, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. A celebration of Bill’s life will immediately follow at 7:00 pm.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to SouthernCare Hospice for the care given to Bill and his family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to SouthernCare Hospice or David F. Winder Mansfield VA Clinic, 1025 S. Trimble Road, Mansfield, OH 44906.
