Jay William Adams, 70, of Litchfield, died on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.  He was born on July 17, 1951 in Urbana, the son of William and Verna June (Landes) Adams, but later moved to Litchfield in 1955. 

Mr. Adams graduated from Litchfield High School in 1969. He attended the University of Illinois and graduated in 1973 with a B.S. in Journalism. While at Illinois he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho, a social-professional fraternity for men majoring in agriculture. He served as house president his junior year, serving in the same office his father had held 23 years before.  In 1976, Jay earned a Juris Doctorate in Law from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis.

Mr. Adams began his private law practice in Litchfield the day he was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1976.  Operating as Jay W. Adams P.C., he represented clients primarily in the areas of estate planning, probate, trust, banking, and real estate law.  In 2012, he joined with Silver Lake Group, Ltd., which continues with offices in Litchfield, Highland, and Greenville.

Mr. Adams served the community as Litchfield City Attorney from 1983-1989, as a member and President of the Litchfield Community Unit School District #12 Board of Education from 1979-1985, and also as a coach of many youth sports teams. 

He was a member of Union Avenue Christian Church in Litchfield since he was a small child. He served in many capacities there including as deacon, elder board chairman, and member of the choir. He was a longtime member of Litchfield Country Club, enjoyed travel with family and friends, and was an avid fighting Illini sports fan.

He married Laura Stolle Adams on Dec. 30, 1982, and she survives.

Also surviving are his four children: Doug (wife Meredith) Adams of Aguadilla, PR, Jill Saarnio (husband Tony) of Prospect Heights, Lindsay Motuliak (husband Dan) of Zionsville, IN, and Mallory Weber (husband Joe) of La Grange; and fifteen grandchildren: Roxanne, Charlotte, Gwendolyn, Lydia, Nancy, William, Kristina, and Matthew Adams, Madelyn and Henry Saarnio, Amelia and baby girl (due April) Motuliak, Jack, Greta and baby boy (due July) Weber.

He is also survived by brother-in-law Loren Stolle of San Francisco, CA, step-brothers-in-law Dave Montgomery of Rochester and Bill Montgomery of Litchfield.; and nieces and nephews, Kevin Stolle of Yucca Valley, CA, Ellen Stolle of Santa Cruz, CA, and step-nieces/nephews: Angie Miller of Rochester, Dan Montgomery of Springfield, Ann Pattillo of Litchfield, and Russell Montgomery of Kansas City, MO.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy J. Adams, who died on Jan. 12, 1983.

The family suggests memorials to Union Avenue Christian Church, the Litchfield Food Pantry, or Zion Lutheran School, all in Litchfield.