Dr. William Horatio Adams was born on May 6, 1970, in Mound Bayou, MS, to Emma Jean Adams and William Conner Jr. He transitioned to eternal life on November 6, 2025, at the tender age of 55 years old in Charleston, SC. He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents, uncles, aunts, stepfather Jerry Strong Jr., and a cousin and namesake, William Horatio Adams.

He lived a life focused on his dreams and aspirations from a young age and read countless historical documents, books, and stories. His intellectual journey was fostered by Childcraft books, World Book Encyclopedia, non-fiction works, and a variety of literature. He graduated from Austin High School before enlisting in the United States Navy.

Once enlisted in the US Navy, he served for many years, receiving multiple medals and awards for his service in the Desert Storm/Desert Shield Conflict in the mid-1990s. He then chose to join the U.S Merchant Marine while still serving as a Navy reservist. As he began to pursue his passion for education, he decided to enroll in Malcolm X College and then on to Chicago State University to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in history. Yet he did not end there. He was encouraged by his ambition to further his education through research and ultimately applied to the American Studies doctoral program at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. He focused his research on Black women's activism and political involvement in Chicago. His research led him to title his dissertation Daughters of Ida B. Wells-Barnett: African American Women's Activism in Chicago during the Twentieth Century, 1955-1987. During this time, while pursuing his well-deserved Ph.D., he taught and inspired many to make a difference.

He was passionate about every project and discovery, but opening others' eyes and making a difference in our community were at the forefront of his life goals. As he relocated to Charleston, SC, he brought that enthusiasm with him. He became the research assistant on the Gullah Geechee Heritage Preservation Project and the coordinator for the Charleston ASALH Black History Freedom School. Throughout his research and education, William sought the necessary change for African American communities and future generations. Thus, he leaves an abundance of research and achievements worthy of a celebratory legacy to be viewed with appreciation and unbiased observation.

He is survived by his wife Tonia Adams, daughter Imani Adams, grandsons Kameron and Kashton all of Virginia Beach, VA; goddaughter Sydney Smith (Tisha) of Lombard, IL; partner Aaisha Haykal of Charleston, SC; stepfather and mother, Leroy and Emma Jean Hoggan of Chicago, IL; father William Conner Jr (Gail) of Greenville, MS; and siblings: Jerry L. Strong III, Anton L. Strong (Minnie), Omar K. Strong, TaWanda J. Strong all of Chicago, IL; Cherie Conner-Walker of Brandon, MS; Lezette Jordan of Florida, Kim Slaughter of Kansas City, KS, Jamara Kimble of Greenville, MS, and Chris O'Neal of Plano, TX; nephew Anton L. Strong Jr of Milwaukee, WI; special uncle Frank Adams (Lena), Hollandale, MS; two special aunts: Clara R. Adams (Martin) of Chicago, IL, and Peggy J. Adams of Hollandale, MS; a host of other relatives, friends, and acquaintances to celebrate and memorialize his life.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 am on Saturday December 6, 2025, at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, 500 Liberty St, Chesapeake, Virginia 23434. Burial will be at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk, VA.

You can join the service livestream at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at: https://www.facebook.com/PretlowandSons