Billy J. Bates

Graveside Services at the Walters Cemetery, Walters, OK, Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., Rev. Kent Simpson officiating. Viewing at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, October 17.

Billy J. Bates was born to Burl Balford and Mattie Lee (Vardell) Bates on September 29, 1934 in Walters, OK and departed this life in Temple, OK on October 14, 2022 at the age of 88 years and 15 days.

Bill grew up southwest of Walters, graduating form Walters High School. He married Joy Yvonne Norman on May 19, 1956 in Temple, OK and to the union 2 children were born. They soon moved to Hobbs, NM, working for Skelly Oil and then on to Libya from 1964 to 1970 working for Oasis. They returned to the states and Bill built the Western Auto store at Waurika, OK in 1971, along with farming. He built his current home east of Temple in 1976 and they moved into it in 1977. Since that time, he has continued farming and ranching, but also worked at the county barn, eventually serving multiple terms as a county commissioner. Bill enjoyed life in general, but driving around checking his cows may have brought the greater joy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Burl and Mattie Bates, and his wife, Joy, in 2010.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Monte and Chrystal Bates of Kingston, OK; his daughter and son-in-law, Sherece and Bill Baumann of Duncan, OK; his sister, Maxine Mobley of San Angelo, TX; 2 grandchildren, Greg Bates and Lisa of Walters, OK, Kellie Constance and Jimmy of Houston, TX; 6 grandchildren, Aiden, Isabella and Levi Bates, James, Anabelle and Caroline Constance; other relatives and friends.