William “Bill” H. Adair, Jr.

William “Bill” H. Adair, Jr. 77, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. He was the beloved husband of Meredith P. (Guillet) Adair for 56 years. Born in Attleboro, he was the son of the late William H. and Margaret (King) Adair. Bill is survived by his wife Merry and their children: Paul Adair, Elizabeth Fecteau and her husband Thomas, Andrew Adair and his wife Kelly, and Meg Adair. He has nine grandchildren, Sophia, Kevin, Ryan, Page, William “Liam”, Livia, Maggie, Annalyn and Matthew and one great grandchild, Skylyn. He was the brother of the late Nancy Adair.

Bill was a graduate of Coyle Cassidy, class of 1960. He graduated from Providence College in 1964. Bill remained an avid fan of the P.C. Friars since his time at Providence College. Bill served in the Army Reserves following his graduation. He was a devote Catholic and communicant of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel for forty-seven years where he served as a Eucharistic minister.

Bill was involved in the commercial lending field for over forty-five years before retiring in 2009. He worked diligently at many community organizations in the City of Attleboro and was a dedicated volunteer at the VNA, the Attleboro Industrial Museum, community Health Systems, United Way, Friends of Attleboro Interested in Revitalization (FAIR), Providence College Alumni Assoc., Attleboro Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Attleboro Rotary Club. In 2001, Bill was named “Person of the Year” for the Attleboro Chamber of Commerce.

Bill and Merry were foster parents for fifteen children. Bill loved cheering on the P.C Friars as a season ticket holder for many years. He loved sailing, golfing, skiing and watching all of his N.E. sports teams. Bill enjoyed spending time with friends. Most of all Bill loved his wife and family and cherished time spent with them. He was a great listener and loyal friend. Bill will be missed terribly by many.

Our dad touched so many lives and so many friends. We would like to offer the opportunity for anyone who would like to share and write a special memory or tribute and place it our memory box placed at the entrance of the Church.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 10:00am in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 984 Taunton Avenue, Seekonk. Burial will be private.

Guestbook

27 entries.

Christine St Hilaire from North Providence wrote on July 31, 2020 at 10:11 pm:

My deepest condolences to Merry and her children. I remember Bill as a loving and devoted family man. My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time🙏🏻

Stephen P Sullivan from Westerly wrote on July 30, 2020 at 9:08 pm:

Merry, Our condolences to you on Bill's passing. My Dad and Stepmother, Bob and Barbara Sullivan, across the street from you were the beneficiaries of much kindness shown to them by Bill, who selflessly looked after them (as have you, I believe) and for this we are most grateful. I regret that I hadn't met Bill, though maybe my sister Christine has. I was not entirely aware of Bill's outreach to my parents until recently. Bill exemplified Christian/Catholic goodness and kindness of a selfless nature. My family and I are humbled and grateful to him. We will be thinking of you and your family and keeping you all in our prayers. God bless!

Jason Tausek from Bridgton, Maine wrote on July 30, 2020 at 8:49 pm:

Dear Merry & The Adair Families - So truly sorry to hear of Bill’s sudden passing. I have such wonderful/vivid memories of all of you and the times our then young families spent together camping, etc. So much kindness & laughter shared. Billy really was an amazing father & friend to us. One of my favorites. Wishing you peace & healing in the days to come. Sincerely, Jason Tausek

Ron and Lorraine DiFiore from North Attleboro wrote on July 29, 2020 at 2:26 pm:

To Merry and family, It was a sad day to learn if Bill’s passing. Bill was such a kind, caring, wonderful person with the greatest sense of humor. I worked with Bill for many years. Bill brought so much joy and enthusiasm to everyone he surrounded. God Bless Merry and all of Bill’s family during this difficult time. We have another Angel on high. Lorraine & Ron

Carol Tomase from Mansfield wrote on July 29, 2020 at 5:33 am:

To Merry and family, I am so very saddened by the sudden passing of Bill! He truly was a special person who brought so much joy, kindness, and thoughtfulness to all; a true family man who managed to bring out the best in people! He and my husband Guy were life-long friends who always managed to connect often and enjoy much laughter. I was honored to have Bill serve as one of Guy’s pallbearers. May the Lord strengthen you and bring you comfort at this especially difficult time.

Joe Robitaille from Seekonk wrote on July 29, 2020 at 1:58 am:

To Bills family and loved ones. I came to know Bill a few years ago on one of his many trips to Planet Fitness in Seekonk. Over time I learned that he was a committed family man and one of the happiest and kindest gentlemen to frequent PF. We often spoke of his camping trips with his grandchildren and of course his outstanding golf skills. I will miss him dearly and will always remember his sly smile. May Gods Grace comfort you all in this trying time.

Sandra Johnson from East Providence wrote on July 28, 2020 at 5:43 pm:

Dear Merry and family,. I'm so deeply saddened of the passing away of Bill He was such a gentle and kind person with a great personality.. I will certainly miss him , going into Adoration, every Tuesdays,our talks, catching up on our family and friends and vacation,etc. He will be missed. May God watch over everyone during this difficult.

Carleton Legg from Attleboro wrote on July 28, 2020 at 4:01 pm:

Dear Adair Family, I had the great pleasure of working with Bill as the director of the Attleboro Area Industrial Museum. He was quick to offer help and a smile when I asked any question about the Museum. He loved our lunch meetings and Christmas gatherings. I will miss him a great deal and felt honored knowing him. Peace and Love, Carleton

SO Bun Ho from France wrote on July 28, 2020 at 3:53 pm:

N'ayant pu être présent aux obsèques, je tenais à présenter mes condoléances les plus sincères en ces jours douloureux; soyez assurés de toute ma sympathie durant ces moments. SO Bun Ho

Beverly Rollins from North Smithfield RI wrote on July 28, 2020 at 3:14 pm:

I am deeply saddened by the loss of one of the finest people I've known. Bill always treated everyone with kindness and respect. He was a wonderful coworker and we always had a lot of laughs when he and Dennis Buetler were around. So many memories. The world is a better place because of Bill. Heaven is too.

HARRY FISHER from Attleboro wrote on July 28, 2020 at 11:20 am:

To Merry and all of Bill's family, I have been an accountant in Attleboro for almost 40 years. During this time I have dealt with many commercial loan officers. When I first met Bill, I knew we would be friends because he was so committed to helping people.. He had a very special gift of loving and believing in people. In his position as a loan officer, Bill's faith in people was exemplified by his commitment and dedication to helping local businesses during their times of need.He helped so many good people so they could continue their businesses. In my life, I believe I have met a handful of people who exemplify the values of the kind of person I want to be. That short list included Bill. Bill holds a special place in my heart and memories. I am saddened I will not be able to see him again but he will always be with me. To Merry and the family, I am certain this is a tremendous loss. I hope you find comfort in knowing what a wonderful husband/father/grandfather/friend Bill was. We all were fortunate to have him in our lives. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Harry Fisher

Bea Lima from Rehoboth wrote on July 28, 2020 at 11:01 am:

My heart is saddened deeply by the loss of a dear friend. Bill was ONE OF A KIND. A gentle, compassionate and loving man. Bill and Merry were our first true neighbors (backdoor) when Dennis and I were married. I remember so often I would run over for a cup of flour and Merry would borrow an egg; as good neighbor's do. Anyone who knew Bill and Merry were truly blessed! I watched their children grow up with my four. A true testament was their gift of fostering children; all ages from days old to young adults . I knew all of them. I could go on forever to pay tribute to a wonderful man and family. Merry, Beth, Andy, Meg and Paul you are in my thoughts and prayers. I know heaven has another ANGEL!! I love you all! Bea

John Adair Lepper from Attleboro wrote on July 28, 2020 at 9:51 am:

I was saddened to learn of Bill's passing. We didn't see each other often. But when we did he was always filled with good cheer as we remembered our Norton relatives, especially Ida and Russell. My heartfelt condolences.

Jeff Millette from Seekonk wrote on July 28, 2020 at 8:55 am:

Merry, Beth, Meg and the entire family, we are so sorry for the sudden passing of Bill. He was such a wonderful person to be around. He was a true “family man” with a wonderful sense of humor. I admired him in many ways. RIP Bill.

Carmel Wills Long from Westport, MA wrote on July 28, 2020 at 8:04 am:

My heart goes out to the Adair family. I feel so blessed to have known Mr. Adair, and to always have his support from the stands or when I was serving him and Mrs. Adair at Chardonnay's! He was such a kind hearted and wonderful man! We will all miss him!

Savy Francis from Cranston RI 02920 wrote on July 27, 2020 at 11:35 pm:

To my brother and his family I’m so sorry for your loss. Mr. Adair was very kind, generous and a killing personality. My brother very lucky to have a family like Adair who’s took him in as one of their kids, because of their kindness and loving Paul turns out to be a better brother, Thank you 🙏🏽 Savy

Dennis lima from Swansea wrote on July 27, 2020 at 10:51 pm:

I remember when Bill and Merry where building there home on chestnut drive Andy and Beth were my 1st true friends ( btw I was about 4 or 5) and Mr Adair was cutting wood either for his woodstove or building materials but he told me that he was making potato chips and he would say I'll show you and would (or Merry would come out with a bowl of them) as the years went by I remember how they took in foster children and gave them a great home and loved them all as there own also I babysat them and Meg my heart goes out to all of you sorry for this great loss love you all. Den

Stephen P Gravel from Riverside wrote on July 27, 2020 at 10:19 pm:

My heart goes out to Mrs.Adair , Paul, Beth and Andy ... The time we spend on this earth is never enough. But the memories we make during that time go on forever.

Bob Bostian from Seekonk wrote on July 27, 2020 at 8:41 pm:

If you had Bill Adair as a friend, you were truly blessed. He was the best friend anyone could have, and I was blessed by that friendship for 45 years. I cannot put into words how much I will miss him. To Merry and family, you are constantly in my thoughts at this difficult time.

Irene and Mike Donly from East Falmouth, Mass wrote on July 27, 2020 at 8:17 pm:

One of the kindest people we’ve ever known. A true joy to be around. A tremendous sense of humor. A truly Christian man who was an example for all men to emulate. Heaven has another angel in its midst.

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