William Rodney Adams died Jan. 14, 2013 at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, Gloucester. He was born Aug. 8, 1921 on Gwynn’s Island where he lived all his life.

Rodney served in the Coast Guard during World War II. He was Fleet Captain at the James River Reserve Fleet until his retirement. He then spent his days working in his garden and shop, but he was happiest when he was on the waters surrounding his beloved Gwynn’s Island crabbing and oystering.

He was a lifelong member and former deacon at Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church. In earlier years he was an active member of the Gwynn’s Island Civic League. Rodney was a member of American Legion Post #83.

Rodney was the son of the late J.W. "Billie" Adams and Helen Godsey Adams. He was predeceased by his son, William Leonard; grandson, William Rodney "Billie" Adams III, and sister, Minnie Carter.

He is survived by his wife, Margie Austin Adams; son, Mickey Adams of Mathews; daughter, Myra Eudy and husband Bill of Chesapeake. He is also survived by his grandsons, Steve Eudy of Poquoson, and Brian Eudy of Chesapeake. His Mathews grandchildren are Jeff and Donna Adams, Chris and Carla Adams, L.G. and Nadine Adams, Daryle Adams, and Farrah and Ricardo Bacelar; sister, Mildred "Sweetie" Shawn of Mathews; 14 great-grandchildren, Dawson, Allison, Ashley, Wyatt, Jesse, Aubrey, Morgan, Kelly, Autumn, Ryan, Hannah, Todd, Toni, and Nikki.

The family will receive friends Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, in the Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 11 a.m. in the church. Burial will follow in the Gwynn’s Island Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to assist with medical bills for his great-grandson Jesse and his parents, Chris and Carla. Donations will be accepted at Chesapeake National Bank in Mathews. P.O. Box 1078, Mathews, Va. 23109.

We are so grateful to the staff at Sanders Center and Walter Reed Hospital for all the love and kindness they have given us.

Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home, Mathews, is in charge of the arrangements.