John William Adkins, 83, of Snow Hill, went home to be with his Lord on Friday, June 27, 2014. He was born on October 3, 1930 in Pocomoke, a son of the late John J. Adkins and Lillian Carter Adkins. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. He then joined the Army Reserves for 24 years. John worked for Scarborough Oil Company for 15 years and then for Moore Business Forms for 30 years as a pressman, retiring in 1981. He was a member of Bates United Methodist Church and attended Mt. Olive Methodist Church. He enjoyed refinishing old furniture. In his younger years he enjoyed being on the water and fishing. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Frances I. Adkins; two sons, John D. Adkins and his wife, Darlene of Dundalk, MD and Victor William Adkins and his wife Valerie of Elizabeth City, NC; six grandchildren, Brandi Hink and her husband Jason, Jennifer M. McAdams and her husband Phillip, Sarah M. Adkins, Alexandria D. Adkins, Victoria D. Adkins, and Consuela Merkle; eight great-grandchildren; six sisters, Aline Wilmer, Polly Gordy, Ruth Guthrie, Carolyn Goff (Ronnie), Esther Smith (Sam), and Laura Taylor; three brothers, Lloyd Adkins (Lura), James Adkins, his twin brother, and Norman Adkins (Margaret); and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters-in-law, Marian Adkins and Shirley Adkins; and two brothers-in-law, Edward Guthrie and Paul Gordy. A graveside memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at Bates Memorial Methodist Cemetery in Snow Hill, Maryland. Military honors will follow the service. In memory of Mr. Adkins, contributions may be sent to the American Legion Post 67, P.O. Box 161, Snow Hill, MD 21863. Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.