William E. (Bill) Adkins BARBERTON -- William E. (Bill) Adkins, 77, passed away May 17, 2000, at Manor Care in Barberton. A man of very strong character and unfailing integrity, Bill touched many lives with his widsom, his compassion, and his gentle humor. He was born July 16, 1922, in Kenova, W. Va. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he retired from Babcock & Wilcox in Barberton. Bill loved to travel and do woodworking in his spare time. Preceded in death by his parents, John W. and Rebecca; his wife of 41 years, Maggie; brother, Ray; sister, Maxine Hopkins; and granddaughters, Summer Adkins and Lisa Turnbaugh, to forever cherish his memory, he leaves his daughters, Donna (Gary) Byers, Rebecca (Harold) Rollyson, Patricia (Rick) Johnson, and Eva (Thomas) Schick; sons, Gary (Roberta), Robert (Denise), and Larry; stepmother, Eva; 15 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and good friends, and especially Helen Wilson. Funeral services will be held Saturday, 10 a.m., at the Hahn-Hostetler Funeral Home, with Rev. Steve Mortach officiating. Interment at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Calling hours Friday, 6 to 9 p.m. ``God saw that you were getting tired, and a cure was not to be, So He put His arms around you and whispered, ``Come home with Me.'' With tearful eyes we watched you suffer and saw you fade away, Although we loved you dearly we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, a determined spirit was at rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best. (Hahn-Hostetler, 825-2467.) Dorothy M. Merrix WADSWORTH -- Dorothy M. Merrix (nee Myers), 68, died Wednesday, May 17, 2000, at her residence, after a three-month illness. Born in Tunnelton, W. Va., Mrs. Merrix resided in Wadsworth 40 years. She was a machine operator at the Ohio Match Co. for 18 years, and enjoyed line dancing and water aerobics. She was a member of Women of the Moose 1681, F.O.E. 2117 Auxiliary, and the American Legion Post 170 Auxiliary. Mrs. Merrix is survived by husband, Curtis Lee; daughter, Michelle (Mrs. Kevin) Gowens of Copley; son, Terry Lee of Akron; granddaughter, Jackie of Wadsworth; brothers, Robert and Willie of Painesville, Wallace of Perry, and Dale Myers of Maryland; sisters, Audrey Newlon of Barberton and Helen Road of Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by brother, David Myers. The family will receive friends Friday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., at the Hilliard & Mullaney Funeral Home, 174 N. Lyman St., Wadsworth, where funeral services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m., Rev. James L. Singleton officiating. Interment at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. (Hilliard & Mullaney, 334-1501.)