William J. (Bill) Adams, Jr. passed away peacefully on September 10, 2013, in San Jose, California at the age of 96. He was born on a farm near Riverdale, Fresno County, to parents Wlliam J. Adams, Sr. and Florence M. Adams. The family moved to Santa Cruz in 1927. After graduating from Marianist Chaminade High School in 1933, he entered Santa Clara University to major in mechanical engineering. Bill graduated BSME Magna Cum Laude and was awarded the Nobili Medal on June 5, 1937.
On December 26, 1939, Bill married Marijane E. Leishman in Santa Cruz and they were married for 66 years. Bill and Marijane had wonderful times traveling, fishing, and skiing. Their first born son, Michael, was born in New York, and their second son, John, was born in Wisconsin.
Bill started his diversified career at General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York. In 1939, he took a leave-of-absence to help his father in the design of three earthmoving scrapers at Gar Wood Industries in Detroit. At the outset of World War II, Bill returned to GE as Design, and later, Chief Project Engineer for the first remote-controlled gun turrets for hign altitude aircraft. In 1946, he and his family returned to the South Bay Area, where he joined Food Machinery Corporation. During a 34-year career with FMC, his positions included Chief Engineer for the Bolens Division in Wisconsin for tractors, mowers, and other heavy equipment. In 1953, he returned to San Jose as Assisted General Manager of FMC Central Engineering Laboratories.
Bill wrote a book, "History of the Santa Clara Valley Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1955-1985". He was also on the task force to write the "History of Boy Scouting Santa Clara County Council, 1920-1990" and the "History of the SAE International, Mid California Section, 1954-1999". He has actively supported his profession, alma mater and the community. He was a life member of ASME and SAE and a Life Fellow of ASAE. He served as President of the Santa Clara Valley Engineering Council, delegate to the Silicon Valley Engineering Council, Director of the local Boy Scouts of America and Chairman of the United Way industry campaign. He received a number of awards from Santa Clara University, including the 1991 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award. In 1998, he received the Silicon Valley Engineering Council "Hall of Fame" award.
Bill Adams was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marijane E. Adams, his brother Eugene Adams, his son John Adams, and infant son, Joseph. He is survived by his son W. Michael Adams, of San Jose, daughter-in-law, Kathleen Adams, of San Jose, daughter-in-law Nancy Adams of Vacaville, granddaughter, Marilynn Adams, of San Jose, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Funeral Holy Mass will be held at the Santa Clara Mission on September 19, 2013.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following:
The William J. and Marijane Adams Endowed Scholarship Fund for SCU Mechanical Engineering Students - please make checks payable to Santa Clara University and be sure to note the donation is in memory of Bill Adams. Checks should be mailed to: Santa Clara University, % Lorraine McGriff, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053-1400 (please us complete zip code). For questions, please call (408) 554-4400.
Vitas Hospice Care - please make checks payable to Vitas Hospice and be sure to note the donation is in memory of Bill Adams. Checks should be mailed to: Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 670 N McCarthy Blvd #220, Milpitas, CA 95035. For more information, call (408) 964-6800.
Arrangements are under the care of LIma Family Santa Clara Mortuary, (408) 296-2977.
On December 26, 1939, Bill married Marijane E. Leishman in Santa Cruz and they were married for 66 years. Bill and Marijane had wonderful times traveling, fishing, and skiing. Their first born son, Michael, was born in New York, and their second son, John, was born in Wisconsin.
Bill started his diversified career at General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York. In 1939, he took a leave-of-absence to help his father in the design of three earthmoving scrapers at Gar Wood Industries in Detroit. At the outset of World War II, Bill returned to GE as Design, and later, Chief Project Engineer for the first remote-controlled gun turrets for hign altitude aircraft. In 1946, he and his family returned to the South Bay Area, where he joined Food Machinery Corporation. During a 34-year career with FMC, his positions included Chief Engineer for the Bolens Division in Wisconsin for tractors, mowers, and other heavy equipment. In 1953, he returned to San Jose as Assisted General Manager of FMC Central Engineering Laboratories.
Bill wrote a book, "History of the Santa Clara Valley Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1955-1985". He was also on the task force to write the "History of Boy Scouting Santa Clara County Council, 1920-1990" and the "History of the SAE International, Mid California Section, 1954-1999". He has actively supported his profession, alma mater and the community. He was a life member of ASME and SAE and a Life Fellow of ASAE. He served as President of the Santa Clara Valley Engineering Council, delegate to the Silicon Valley Engineering Council, Director of the local Boy Scouts of America and Chairman of the United Way industry campaign. He received a number of awards from Santa Clara University, including the 1991 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award. In 1998, he received the Silicon Valley Engineering Council "Hall of Fame" award.
Bill Adams was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marijane E. Adams, his brother Eugene Adams, his son John Adams, and infant son, Joseph. He is survived by his son W. Michael Adams, of San Jose, daughter-in-law, Kathleen Adams, of San Jose, daughter-in-law Nancy Adams of Vacaville, granddaughter, Marilynn Adams, of San Jose, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Funeral Holy Mass will be held at the Santa Clara Mission on September 19, 2013.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following:
The William J. and Marijane Adams Endowed Scholarship Fund for SCU Mechanical Engineering Students - please make checks payable to Santa Clara University and be sure to note the donation is in memory of Bill Adams. Checks should be mailed to: Santa Clara University, % Lorraine McGriff, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053-1400 (please us complete zip code). For questions, please call (408) 554-4400.
Vitas Hospice Care - please make checks payable to Vitas Hospice and be sure to note the donation is in memory of Bill Adams. Checks should be mailed to: Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 670 N McCarthy Blvd #220, Milpitas, CA 95035. For more information, call (408) 964-6800.
Arrangements are under the care of LIma Family Santa Clara Mortuary, (408) 296-2977.
William J. (Bill) Adams, Jr. passed away peacefully on September 10, 2013, in San Jose, California at the age of 96. He was born on a farm near Riverdale, Fresno County, to parents Wlliam J. Adams, Sr. and Florence M. Adams. The family moved to Santa Cruz in 1927. After graduating from Marianist Chaminade High School in 1933, he entered Santa Clara University to major in mechanical engineering. Bill graduated BSME Magna Cum Laude and was awarded the Nobili Medal on June 5, 1937.
On December 26, 1939, Bill married Marijane E. Leishman in Santa Cruz and they were married for 66 years. Bill and Marijane had wonderful times traveling, fishing, and skiing. Their first born son, Michael, was born in New York, and their second son, John, was born in Wisconsin.
Bill started his diversified career at General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York. In 1939, he took a leave-of-absence to help his father in the design of three earthmoving scrapers at Gar Wood Industries in Detroit. At the outset of World War II, Bill returned to GE as Design, and later, Chief Project Engineer for the first remote-controlled gun turrets for hign altitude aircraft. In 1946, he and his family returned to the South Bay Area, where he joined Food Machinery Corporation. During a 34-year career with FMC, his positions included Chief Engineer for the Bolens Division in Wisconsin for tractors, mowers, and other heavy equipment. In 1953, he returned to San Jose as Assisted General Manager of FMC Central Engineering Laboratories.
Bill wrote a book, "History of the Santa Clara Valley Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1955-1985". He was also on the task force to write the "History of Boy Scouting Santa Clara County Council, 1920-1990" and the "History of the SAE International, Mid California Section, 1954-1999". He has actively supported his profession, alma mater and the community. He was a life member of ASME and SAE and a Life Fellow of ASAE. He served as President of the Santa Clara Valley Engineering Council, delegate to the Silicon Valley Engineering Council, Director of the local Boy Scouts of America and Chairman of the United Way industry campaign. He received a number of awards from Santa Clara University, including the 1991 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award. In 1998, he received the Silicon Valley Engineering Council "Hall of Fame" award.
Bill Adams was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marijane E. Adams, his brother Eugene Adams, his son John Adams, and infant son, Joseph. He is survived by his son W. Michael Adams, of San Jose, daughter-in-law, Kathleen Adams, of San Jose, daughter-in-law Nancy Adams of Vacaville, granddaughter, Marilynn Adams, of San Jose, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Funeral Holy Mass will be held at the Santa Clara Mission on September 19, 2013.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following:
The William J. and Marijane Adams Endowed Scholarship Fund for SCU Mechanical Engineering Students - please make checks payable to Santa Clara University and be sure to note the donation is in memory of Bill Adams. Checks should be mailed to: Santa Clara University, % Lorraine McGriff, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053-1400 (please us complete zip code). For questions, please call (408) 554-4400.
Vitas Hospice Care - please make checks payable to Vitas Hospice and be sure to note the donation is in memory of Bill Adams. Checks should be mailed to: Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 670 N McCarthy Blvd #220, Milpitas, CA 95035. For more information, call (408) 964-6800.
Arrangements are under the care of LIma Family Santa Clara Mortuary, (408) 296-2977.
On December 26, 1939, Bill married Marijane E. Leishman in Santa Cruz and they were married for 66 years. Bill and Marijane had wonderful times traveling, fishing, and skiing. Their first born son, Michael, was born in New York, and their second son, John, was born in Wisconsin.
Bill started his diversified career at General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York. In 1939, he took a leave-of-absence to help his father in the design of three earthmoving scrapers at Gar Wood Industries in Detroit. At the outset of World War II, Bill returned to GE as Design, and later, Chief Project Engineer for the first remote-controlled gun turrets for hign altitude aircraft. In 1946, he and his family returned to the South Bay Area, where he joined Food Machinery Corporation. During a 34-year career with FMC, his positions included Chief Engineer for the Bolens Division in Wisconsin for tractors, mowers, and other heavy equipment. In 1953, he returned to San Jose as Assisted General Manager of FMC Central Engineering Laboratories.
Bill wrote a book, "History of the Santa Clara Valley Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1955-1985". He was also on the task force to write the "History of Boy Scouting Santa Clara County Council, 1920-1990" and the "History of the SAE International, Mid California Section, 1954-1999". He has actively supported his profession, alma mater and the community. He was a life member of ASME and SAE and a Life Fellow of ASAE. He served as President of the Santa Clara Valley Engineering Council, delegate to the Silicon Valley Engineering Council, Director of the local Boy Scouts of America and Chairman of the United Way industry campaign. He received a number of awards from Santa Clara University, including the 1991 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award. In 1998, he received the Silicon Valley Engineering Council "Hall of Fame" award.
Bill Adams was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marijane E. Adams, his brother Eugene Adams, his son John Adams, and infant son, Joseph. He is survived by his son W. Michael Adams, of San Jose, daughter-in-law, Kathleen Adams, of San Jose, daughter-in-law Nancy Adams of Vacaville, granddaughter, Marilynn Adams, of San Jose, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Funeral Holy Mass will be held at the Santa Clara Mission on September 19, 2013.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following:
The William J. and Marijane Adams Endowed Scholarship Fund for SCU Mechanical Engineering Students - please make checks payable to Santa Clara University and be sure to note the donation is in memory of Bill Adams. Checks should be mailed to: Santa Clara University, % Lorraine McGriff, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053-1400 (please us complete zip code). For questions, please call (408) 554-4400.
Vitas Hospice Care - please make checks payable to Vitas Hospice and be sure to note the donation is in memory of Bill Adams. Checks should be mailed to: Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 670 N McCarthy Blvd #220, Milpitas, CA 95035. For more information, call (408) 964-6800.
Arrangements are under the care of LIma Family Santa Clara Mortuary, (408) 296-2977.
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