Billy Don Bates, 85, of Pine Ridge, AR, passed away April 3, 2024. Billy was preceded in death by his father Willie (Bill) Bates, mother Hester Key Bates, sister Virginia Brumfield, brother-in-law Ernie Brumfield Sr., brother-in-law Apache Jim Wilson, and brother-in-law Noel Pitts.
Billy was born June 22, 1938, in Lee County, Arkansas, near Marianna. Billy grew up in eastern and western Arkansas, finally settling down in Montgomery County. Early life found Billy working in the cotton and soybean fields and raising chickens. Billy served six years in the Arkansas Air National Guard. In 1962, Billy married Charlotte Pitts. Billy was one of the first three hired at U.S. Motors, working there 35 years before his retirement.
Billy was very active in the Oden School system, serving many years on the school board. He was the Head Coach for the Summer League girls softball team, along with Coach Kathy Ellison, winning numerous championships and tournament wins. Billy was an avid outdoorsman with his deer and turkey hunting skills being second to none. Billy played on a traveling baseball team, men’s softball league, and was on a bowling league at the Pine Bowl for many years.
Billy is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Charlotte Bates, daughter Donna Wigginton and husband Steve, son Wesley Bates and wife Cheryl, sister Ines Wilson, and grandchildren Brad Bates and Allison Bates.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at Beasley Wood Funeral Home from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 10:00 am at the Little Hope Baptist Church in Pine Ridge under the direction of Brother Andy Kennedy. Burial will be at the Pine Ridge Cemetery following the funeral.
Pall bearers will be Brad Bates, Ernie Brumfield Jr., Thurston Coker, Kevin Zinke, Josh Belcher, and David Ricker.
A special thanks to Kam Dowdy and Catey Clark and all the Staff and residents at the Homewood Cottages and the staff of Elite Hospice.
Online obituary and guestbook at www.beasleywoodfuneralhome.com
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