He was the son of James B Adams (1795-1857) and Frances Herndon (1800-1840) and the husband of Susan Frances Hurst (1833-1905). James & Susan had 16 children, 14 of whom lived to adulthood. William was born in Jasper County, GA.
In 1879 William was called to the ministry and was ordained at the Primitive Baptist Church of Christ at Harris Springs, Newton County, GA.
Taken from "The Georgia Enterprise and Covington Star 1868 - 1904"
Obituary from The Covington Star, Nov 26, 1895
Elder William Adams...died at his home near Dixie on Friday afternoon, November 22, 1895. Elder William Adams was born in Jasper County, Georgia, February 2, 1831, and died November 22, 1895, and was, therefore, aged 64 years, 9 months, and 20 days...Elder Adams was the father of 16 children, 14 of whom are still living...