William "Bill" Morris Adkins, of Harrison, Arkansas, passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center.  He was 78 years old.  The son of William Andrew Adkins and Pauline Beatrice (Johnson) Adkins was born on July 24, 1944 in Bisbee, Arizona.  He attended Harrison High School, leaving to join the Air Force at the age of 17, where he finished his degree.

Bill was a loving father, grandfather, brother, and son.  He loved his family very much and cherished many fond memories of them all throughout his years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Isabelle; and one grandson, Layne Adkins.

Survivors include eight children, Natalie Coulter, Michelle Steward (Randy), Bill Lee Adkins, Valarie Adkins, April Adkins, Bethani Brown (Taylor), Nicole Fox-Rivera, and Andrew Adkins; numerous grandchildren; many great grandchildren; three sisters, Billye Sue Lawrence, Lida Criner, and Theresa Wyatt; and a host of other family and friends.

Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado as a member of the SAC or Strategic Air Command Unit.  After his service in the U.S. Air Force, he turned his hand to auto mechanics, specializing in carburetor and electrical repair, owning his own business.  He also worked for the State of Colorado, where he was a Harly Davidson mechanic for the Colorado State Police.

After many years, he retired from the State of Colorado.  Wanting to be closer to his family, he moved back to Arkansas where he quickly became well known throughout the community as an expert mechanic through his business, Adkins Carburetor Electric.

Bill also enjoyed restoring vintage cars, inside and out, and he took great pride in his work.  He was a Cadillac and Chevrolet man, through and through.  He was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and boating.  Bill worked very hard at his business, but when he wasn't at work, he spent his time off on his 1954 Chris-Craft Cabin Cruiser or chasing old cars that some may call junk, but Bill saw as treasure.  Sanford and Son had nothing on Bill.

A memorial service will be held on July 22, 2023 at 2:00 PM at the Christian Life Center located at 1225 West Stephenson in Harrison, Arkansas.