William J. Adcock

Bill Adcock passed away peacefully at his family home in Kirkwood, Missouri on July 29, 2022 - he was 94 years old. Bill was born March 26,1928 in Evansville Indiana to his mother Bernice Adcock and father Joe Adcock. Bill excelled in everything he did, but his passion was sports and specifically basketball. At West End High School in Nashville, Tennessee he did it all. Starting in 1943 through 1946, he was a three-year letterman in football, basketball and baseball. He was a member of the State Basketball Team twice. Following graduation from high school, ‘Billy Joe’ Adcock was offered the first basketball scholarship ever given by Vanderbilt University. Billy Joe was Black and Gold through and through. He was a four year starter at Vanderbilt, was named to the All-SEC Basketball team three years, and scored over 1000 career points. It took decades before any other player exceeded his career score. He stated proudly that his scoring record predated three-point shots! Bill was a consensus All-American selection and the first Vanderbilt player to receive this recognition. His celebrated athletic career beginning at West End High School and culminating in many storied and legendary achievements at Vanderbilt truly did launch his life journey. Bill was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers but chose to work for Monsanto Chemical Company in1950 in Columbia Tennessee as a civil engineer. Kiddingly, the plant manager in Columbia knew “Billy Joe” as a winning pitcher for the Vanderbilt team and Monsanto needed a pitcher to win more games within their corporate league. He was a rising star at Monsanto as well. Eventually he was transferred and promoted to the worldwide headquarters in St. Louis. At that time, he began his career in sales and marketing for the Company. Bill retired in 1986 as Corporate Director of National Sales for all of Monsanto’s product lines and company divisions. Known as Billy Joe Adcock, Bill Adcock, Daddy, Granddaddy and Great Granddaddy, he is an SEC Living Legend, A member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, A Vanderbilt Living Legend and a Member of Vanderbilt’s Sports Hall of Fame. Bill Adcock is survived by his biggest fans: his wife, Carol Mae Adcock, his children Diane Adcock, Shelly Adcock (Leslie) Joe Adcock (Michelle), Grandchildren Jenna Boutiette, Bryan Adcock, Jennifer Adcock, Erin Patterson, Shelly Adcock, Mariette Lovinger, Chloe Silvestri and 12 great grandchildren. There will be a private family visitation at Bopp Chapel in Kirkwood August 5 from 2-4. Burial will be Thursday, August 11, 2:00 p.m. at Bellerive Gardens Cemetery, 740 N. Mason Road, Creve Coeur MO 63141 and is open to family and friends.

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William J. Adcock

March 26, 1928 - July 29, 2022