Mr. Leslie “Bud” Haynes Adkins, born December 29, 1932, in Vine Grove, Ky. He attended high school at Vine Grove High School. After high school, he attended Fort Wayne Indiana Technical School and graduated from University of Kentucky with an engineering degree.

He was on active duty in Germany during the Korean war and later in the National Guard. He worked as a mechanical engineer for the government in Ft. Belvoir, Va., and Bluegrass Army Depot in Avon, Ky., and then in Huntington, Ala. He helped design the first unmanned drone.

He was preceded in death by his mom, Ernestine (Smith); his dad, Kenneth; his brothers, Donnie and Jimmy; and sister, Bobbie Lou.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Marion Edmonson Adkins of Benton, Ky., their love was amazing and strong. His children who loved him dearly, sons, Leslie of Lexington, Ky., Mark (Marceline) of Nicholsville, Ky., Kevin (Melissa) of Monticello, Ky., and Gary (Beth) of Owensboro, Ky., and daughter, Karin of Louisville, Ky. He was loving Papa to his grandkids, Vince, Trevor, Zachary, Brittany and Ryan; and great-grandkids, Juniper, Cash, Moira and Tabor. They all gave Bud great pleasure and joy.

Bud was a man of deep faith. He attended First United Methodist Church and was the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Chaplin, lodge number 2707. He touched many people with his compassion, strength, faith and sense of humor. He could brighten any room with his smile and laughter. He guided his children and always gave them his love, support and encouragement. He inspired many with his battle against heart disease and cancer. He was a real fighter with the love of his wife and family giving him the desire to life and his faith giving him the patience to accept what God brought him. He amazed all his doctors and was a favorite of the nurses.

The family wishes to thank Lourdes hospital, Lourdes Hospice and his doctors and nurses for the excellent care he received and the compassion and support they provided him and his family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, December 7, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Benton, Ky. Rev. David Atkinson will officiate.

Friends may visit with the family Thursday, December 6, 2012, between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Collier Funeral Home in Benton, Ky. Also, friends may visit with the family Friday, December 7, 2012, after 10:00 a.m. until the Celebration of Life service at 11:00 a.m. to be held at the First United Methodist Church in Benton, Ky.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Helping Hands Food Bank c/o First United Methodist Church, 845 U.S. Hwy 641 Spur, Benton, KY 42025 or to Lourdes Hospice, 911 Joe Clifton Dr., Paducah, KY 42001