William A. "Butch" Adkins, 45, of springfield, died Monday morning, May 3, 1999, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.

He was born Feb. 7, 1954, in Jacksonville, the son of James A. and Billy Jean Witham Adkins. He married Vickie Mindock on Nov. 24, 1973, in Kankakee, and she survives.

He is also survived by one son, Joshua J. of Pisgah. He was preceded in death by one son, John T.

Mr. Adkins was at the time of his death a sergeant with the Illinois State Police, Office of Governmental Affairs. He began his law enforcement career with the Illinois State Police in June of 1984 and was assigned as a patrol trooper in the chicago metro area. Prior to that he had farmed in Franklin.

He was a member of the Ansar Shrine, Rasna Shrine, and Royal Order of Jesters No. 20. He became a Mason on Aug. 16, 1978, at Woodson Lodge No. 1011 A.F.&A.M., and later transferred his membership to St. Paul's Lodge No. 500 in Springfield. He was District 9 representative to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 41. He participated in the negotiation of the first sworn collective bargaining agreement with the Illinois State Police.

Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Church of Our Savior, with burial at Union Baptist Cemetery at Pisgah. Friends may call after 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Williamson Funeral Home where the family will meet friends following a 5 p.m. prayer service, until 8 p.m. masonic services will be held at 8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Shriner's Childrens Hospital or the Union Baptist Cemetery.