Billy Ray Adams of Plano, Texas, went to be with the Lord on March 6, 2007, after a courageous battle with Melanoma. He was born in his family farm house in Lesley, Texas, in the Panhandle on September 12, 1930 to Dudley and Lillie Mae Adams. He graduated from Lakeview High School and then attended Clarendon Jr. College for one year, before being drafted into the Army in 1950 during the Korean War. After being discharged from the Army in 1952, he attended Hardin Simmons University and graduated in 1955 with a BBA degree. While attending HSU, he met Virginia Carter and they were married in 1954. He was employed with Sears Roebuck and Co. part time during his senior year and continued working for Sears for 40 years in credit management. He was the Credit Central Manager of the DFW Metroplex at the time of his retirement in 1994. He was a long time member of the Credit Management Association of Dallas and served on the Board of Directors. Bill was always active in the Baptist church where ever they lived and served as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Plano. After his retirement, he was a volunteer with the Texas Baptist Men Disaster Group that went to many areas of destruction. Bill was also a volunteer with the Bill Glass Prison Ministry since 1997 and went to over 70 prisons in Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas and Ohio where he would witness one on one with the inmates. In addition to Bill’s volunteer work, he served on the Board of Development at Hardin Simmons University for several years. Billy Ray Adams is survived by his wife Virginia; daughters Kimberly Dale of Dallas, Amy and her husband Roger Middleton of Allen, Lara and her husband Clay Sheriff of Prosper; mother Lillie Mae Adams of Amarillo; grandchildren Lindsay Priddy, Sara Middleton and Madelyn and Adam Sheriff; brother Wayne and his wife Libby Adams of Kansas City, KS; sister-in-law Maxine Carter of Weatherford; and many nieces and nephews and beloved friends. A son, Stephen Carter Adams, preceded him in death in 1958 and his father, Dudley Adams in 1980. Bill was very devoted to and proud of his family. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and was devoted to his church and helping others. Bill would like to be known as someone who loved the Lord and was happiest when he was involved with the Lord’s work, truly a servant’s heart. He will be greatly missed. The family wishes to extend their greatest appreciation to Dr. Michael Savin, Dr. Neil Senzer, Adrienne Williams, RN and staff at Mary Crowley Medical Research Center at Baylor Hospital and Community Hospice of Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bill Glass Prison Ministry, Texas Baptist Men, or Mary Crowley Medical Research Center (for Melanoma Research) at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, March 9, 2007 at First Baptist Church of Plano with Dr. Jerry Carlisle officiating. Interment will follow later in the day at 2:30 PM at DFW National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00PM, Thursday, at the church.