News 12 -- November 8, 2009

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- A North Augusta man died Sunday after being hit in the front yard of his home on Seymour Drive, Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton told News 12.

William Adams, 72, was doing yard work in the front of his yard on the 1100 block of Seymour Drive when he was struck by 2002 Ford Taurus. The car then left the scene and authorities said the driver had thought she hit a trash can.

When driver Chatrice Evans realized she might have hit a person, she turned around where they found the Adams on the ground in the front of his yard.

Adams was breathing on his own after the crash, but suffered lacerations to his head. He was pronounced dead at MCG at 3:43pm.

North Augusta Public Safety is still investigating to see if criminal charges will be issued to the driver.

The accident is the 33rd traffic death in Aiken County this year, Carlton said.

Adams was known as the "Master Gardener" by many in the neighborhood especially his best friend, Jerry Sealey, who many would consider family.

"He loved people, he loved his family, what else is there to love," Sealey said. "He loved his flowers."

One of Adams three daughter's told News 12 Adams was a great father and husband to his wife Brenda, his best friend Sealey said he agrees.

"If two people ever loved each other it was those two people," Sealey said.

Bill was also nicknamed "Tiny" during his time working at the U.S. Post Office, because he was such a big guy, his daughter said.

Nobody compared or was like Adams, Sealey said, he was a different type of person who loved his yard, which still stands as a lasting memory for the family and neighborhood friends.

"Bill was the master gardener, he was the master of his yard," Sealey said. "He is the master's gardener now...because he loved the lord."

Adams leaves behind three daughters, his wife and a lot of grandchildren the family tells News 12.

Funeral arrangements are being planned and is expected to be at Posey's funeral home sometime this week one of the family members said.