Royce William Adams

Former state representative, businessman, horseman, and loving husband and father, Royce Adams , 84, passed away peacefully at home on August 11, 2023, following a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Royce served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1993 - 2013 and owned his own business, Royce Adams Oil Company, for 46 years.

Royce was born in Mason, Kentucky, on September 29, 1938, to Willie and Irene Adams. He graduated from Grant County High School in 1956, and married Rita (Haydon) on June 12, 1959. They had two daughters, Carmen (Hickerson) and Melinda (Lloyd).  Royce served in United States Army as a Staff Sargeant from 1961-1965.

Royce had a passion for community service. He was very gracious with his time and treasure, including leadership positions with Gideon’s International, the American Morgan Horse Association, the Grant County Chamber of Commerce, the Grant County Farm Bureau, the Kentucky Fairs & Horse Shows Association, the Grant Lodge #85 F&AM, and the Grant County Fair Board, where he served as the President for 20 years.

He was also a committed church member serving in numerous capacities including as a deacon, elder, Sunday school teacher and Sunday school superintendent at Lystra Christian Church, Sherman Church of Christ, Violet Ridge Church of Christ, and Lakeside Christian Church.

His dedication to community service led him to run for the Kentucky legislature, and in 1992, he was elected to the House of Representatives. He served in that capacity for two decades, working diligently to serve the citizens in his district. Quiet and unassuming, Royce carried out his legislative duties with fairness and dignity, earning him the reputation as one of the most widely respected members of the General Assembly during his tenure. His proudest legislative moment was the 1998 passage of a bill to make it illegal to drive a boat under the influence of alcohol. Many also remember him for his jar of gummy bears he always kept on his desk on the House floor.

Royce and his family were also accomplished horsemen. He, his wife, Rita, and his daughters, raised and showed Morgan horses together, winning many state and national awards.

Despite his many achievements in the community, Royce loved being a dad, grandaddy and great grandaddy. He was beloved by his daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren and will be missed by all.

Royce and Rita enjoyed a wide circle of friends during their 64 years of marriage representing their many interests – from lifelong high school friends, those they served with in the church and in community organizations, and the people they met showing horses. Many have remarked that Royce was loyal, generous and loved to laugh.

An excerpt from a resolution upon his retirement from the House of Representatives sums it up best, “he will best be remembered for his impeccable character and gentle spirit. He was a man of great faith, but he has no need to tout his high standards, because he exhibits those qualities as he walks through life.”

Royce is survived by his wife, Rita (Haydon) Adams; his daughters, Carmen Hickerson and Melinda Lloyd and her husband Greg; his grandchildren Noah Hickerson, Taylor Sullivan and her husband, Clay, and Ben Lloyd; and his great grandchildren Sloane and Darcy Sullivan. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Willie and Irene Adams.

Services will be held at the Stanley Funeral Home, 500 North Main Street, Williamstown, KY. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 16, 2023, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Funeral will be at 10:00 AM, Thursday, August 17, 2023.  A private burial will follow.

In lieu of flowers, remembrance gifts may be made to the Grant Co. Friends of the Animal Shelter or Gideon’s International.