William Delbert (Slats) Adams, of Midland, passed away Thursday, September 22, 2011. Slats was born September 25, 1920, in Colorado City, Texas. He will have a heavenly celebration of his 91st birthday this Sunday. He married Melba Nadine (Dene) Thompson on July 26, 1941, in Cisco, Texas. Slats and Dene had lived in Midland since the early 1940’s and were members of the Bellview Baptist Church since 1951. He was a deacon for many years and was also a member of the Masonic Lodge for more than 50 years. Slats proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps in the South Pacific during World War II. He helped anchor the Enola Gaye when it landed after its historic bombing mission over Japan, as well as being present when Japanese planes stopped to refuel on their way to sign surrender documents aboard the battleship Missouri. Slats worked as an electrician in the military and, after his discharge, began doing electrical work in Midland. He owned and operated Slats Electric Company for many years. In later years, he worked and volunteered for Christmas in Action. Slats cherished his family, his friends, and his church. He is preceded in death by his wife, Dene Adams; his parents, Onie and Home C. Adams; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Clyde Adams, Lloyd Adams, Homer and Ann Adams; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Hazel and Lewis Caulder, Jessie and G.W. (Woody) Allen, Gladys and Dalton Millican, Lucille and Ralph Weeks, Evelyn Bagwell; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Harold Bolton, Lawrence Thompson, Doyle Thompson, Alton and Dot Thompson. He is survived by daughters, Jo Ann Ray of Weatherford, Texas and Beverly Martin and husband, Jerry, of Austin, Texas; son, Ronnie Adams and wife, Terry, of Midland; grandchildren, Kristi Hopkins, Brian Ray and wife, Julie; Jeff Martin and wife, Rachel; Lee Anne McLeod and husband, Todd; Ronnie Adams Jr. and wife, Jessica; Sarah Gignac and husband, Jason; great-grandchildren, Haley; Kolen, Jordan, and Reagan; Isabel, Zara, and Baby Boy Martin; Ian and Meredith; Preslee; Jaron and Jalynn; sister, Mary Bolton; brother-in-law, Jim Bagwell; sisters-in-law, Betty Adams, Lora Thompson, Mona Thompson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Jackie Thompson; friend and caregiver, Linda Cote; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Our family would like to thank Hospice of Midland and the nursing staff of Terrace West Nursing Home for the love and care given to our dad.
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