William James Adair

William James Adair, long time resident of Naples, Florida passed away peacefully April 8, 2024. He was born September 6, 1934 in County Antrim, Northern Ireland to William and Rachel Adair. When he wasn’t fishing with his Dad around his Antrim coast hometown of Portrush, he was learning the skilled trade of a stone mason. At a young age, he became an apprentice and worked alongside his father on many jobs. On the tools he would emerge as an artist, and this coupled with an unparalleled work ethic, would lead to a lifetime of opportunity elsewhere.

In 1956, Bill left Northern Ireland and went to Toronto, Canada, with little more than the skills he developed and the tools of his trade. It was in Toronto where, as the unlikely result of dialing a wrong telephone number, he would meet the love of his life and future wife, Ann Posner, another British national seeking opportunity across the pond. Married in 1960, job opportunities brought Bill, Ann and their young family to the United States. A short time spent working in Vermont, on a project with a New Jersey based construction company, led to lifelong friendships and professional relationships that resulted in the Adair’s settling at the Jersey Shore. It was there they would raise their four daughters while Bill continued to work in masonry eventually having his own construction company.

Known as “Big Bill” to most, he took pleasure in all that New Jersey offered. He loved days at the beach with his girls, looking for shells, fishing and crabbing or simply relaxing with walks on the boardwalk. He also loved evenings and weekends spent in New York City, Atlantic City or antiquing out in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Bill and Ann loved to travel, and their family made many memories throughout the United States, Caribbean and Europe in addition to regularly travelling back to England and Northern Ireland.

In 1996, Bill and Ann retired and made Naples their home. Active in his community, Bill served on many boards and spent his days golfing, fishing and travelling. He cherished his time with his eight grandchildren and never ended any phone conversation without asking, “when are you coming down?” and always reminding everyone to, “be careful.” When they were young, Pop was always ready with a fishing pole in hand or buckets and shovels for the beach. As they grew into adults, Pop always shared openly his life experiences and led by example through the lived honesty, integrity and humility that was central to his being.

Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Ann Adair; adoring daughters Helayne (Craig) Frankel, Sharon Adair, Victoria (James) Sheahan, Nicole (Jacob) Blondin; beloved grandchildren Devin and Justin Frankel, Samantha and Nicholas Bless, William and Zachary Sheahan, Liam and Callum Blondin.

Later this year the family will travel to the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland for a private celebration of Bill’s life.