Martin William "Bill" Bates

Martin William (Bill) Bates passed away at his home on February 5, 2012. He was born on September 19, 1922 to the late Martin Wilson Bates and Alma Merle Tanner Bates. Bill grew up in Little Rock, AR. In 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After completing the U.S. Army Air Corps Training Command, he became a pilot. After completing his tour of duty, he returned to civilian life and finished his college degree in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation from the University of Arkansas, he accepted a job with Crossett Paper Mill and remained there for 12 years. After accepting a position in 1959 with Bowater Carolina, he and his family moved to Rock Hill. He retired from Bowater in 1987 and years later joined the Bowater REBELs Club. Bill loved his family, friends and flying. He enjoyed his church until he had health issues. He then relied on TV. Bill was a former member of Oakland Baptist Church and later became a member of St. John's United Methodist Church. Bill is survived by his wife Betty Polk Bates, sons Richard Bates (Jennifer) and Bobby Bates (Roxanne), daughter Beth Ann Boyle (Jack), grandchildren R.J. Bates, Jenna Shive (Andrew), Lauren Cole (Eric), Brittany Griffin (Seth), Cameron Barden (Kyle), Hailey Bates, Zayn Bates, great-grandchildren Zachary Tatum, William Griffin, Lexi Bates, Lily Bates, Tanner Shive, Cady Shive, Wyatt Shive, Berkeley Cole. Bill was predeceased by his parents and his brother Earl Bates. The family will receive friends at Bass-Cauthen Funeral Home, 700 Heckle Blvd, Rock Hill, SC on Wednesday February 8 between six and eight pm. The service will be held at St. John's United Methodist Church, 321 S. Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, SC on Thursday February 9 at two pm. Burial will follow the service at Grand View Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to St. John's United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 149, Rock Hill, SC.

Visitation Details

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Bass-Cauthen Funeral Home

Service Information

Thursday, February 9th, 2012 2:00pm

Interment Details