Obituaries
William A Bates III
October 10, 1945 - September 8, 2022
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VISITATION
September 13, 2022 | 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday - Yurs Funeral Home Geneva
- Funeral
- September 14, 2022 | 10:30 A.M. Wednesday
- St. Patrick Crane Road Church 6N487 Crane Road St. Charles
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Burial Location
Prairie Cemetery St. Charles
William Almond Bates III, age 76, passed away September 8th, 2022. Born October 10th, 1945 in Ottawa, Kansas, to William Bates Jr. and Helen Bates. On May 28th, 1966, he married Susan Marie Loeffel in Arlington Heights, IL.
Bill served honorably in the United States Army on active duty from 1966 through 1968, attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He arrived in Vietnam as a platoon leader in the 25th infantry division just days after the beginning of the Tet Offensive. As platoon leader he received multiple awards for valor in combat, including the Silver Star and 2 Bronze Stars for heroism. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat. After 4 months of field action he was recognized and promoted to General’s Aid. He provided security and support to the General, spending most of their time in the air over the iron triangle where he was a platoon leader (Cu Chi, Tay Ninh, Trang Bang and Nui Ba Den). He received 7 air medals for flight time over enemy action and was shot down 3 times; once in a Huey, once in a Chinook and once in a C-123. He remained in the US Army Reserves until 1971 in which he attained the rank of Captain.
He worked successfully for 32 years in the retail industry. His career started in Chicago at Osco Drug in 1970, working his way up through increasing roles and responsibilities, retiring as Vice President of Operations at Albertsons in 2002.
Survived by his spouse, Susan Bates; Children: William IV (Bonnie) Bates of Magnolia, TX, Brandon (Katie) Bates of St. Charles, IL, Bryan (Allison) Bates of St. Charles, IL, Bradley (Kara) Bates of Elburn, IL, and Brett (Stephanie) Bates of Lisle, IL. Grandchildren: William V, Brock, Brynnley, Brody, Landon, Lauren, Paxton, Everly, Oliver, and Ethan.
Preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation: Tuesday September 13th, 2022 4PM – 8PM at Yurs Funeral Home, 1771 W State St, Geneva, IL 60134.
Mass: Wednesday September 14th, 2022 at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick Church, 6N487 Crane Rd St. Charles, IL 60175.
Burial: Immediately following Mass at Prairie Cemetery 6N655 Crane Rd South Elgin, IL, Crane Rd. (Just north of St. Patrick Catholic church)
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Misericordia Heart of Mercy https://www.misericordia.com/giving/donate-online/. Phone a Donation – call Beth Denbow at 773-273-2744 / bethd@misericordia.com
To leave an online condolence or remembrance to the family, visit the funeral homes obituary page at www.yursfuneralhomes.com. For more information, please call Yurs Funeral Home of Geneva 630-232-7337.
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Condolences
Geoff & Julie Oletti from Roswell, GA
"Susan and boys our hearts go out to you. Bill meant the world to us. Hugs and prayers to you and your family."
from ,
"Bill was one of a kind. I considered him a mentor, a coach but most of all a friend! He will be missed by many, God bless the entire Bates family as you celebrate his life. John & Sharon"
Jon & Shirley Fuglestad from Naperville, IL
"Susan & Family,May the memories of the past warm your hearts. Bill will be missed by many but especially by you…his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of a great man. Love, Tork & Shirley"
Don Hernandez from Hoffman Estates, IL
"So so sorry for the loss! Praying for the Family to have peace in this difficult time…"
Dorothy Carey from Wheaton, IL
"Susan and Family: I have been devastated ever since I learned of Bill's passing. I worked many years as his admin and he always treated me as a friend. I have many memories of Bill, especially how overjoyed he was to tell me I would be a recipient of the President's Award, something I'm sure he was involved in. Due to a leg injury, I will not be able to be with you at the services but know that my prayers are for his family and for Bill, a true hero to our country. All my love."
from ,
"To my cousin Susan and your Family it comes with great sadness to know that your husband, father, family member and friends to others has passed. It has been a long time since we have seen each other but I do remember Bill. Jeannette and I want to express our deep sympathy to all and we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Jeannette and Tom"
from ,
"Susan, I am so sorry for the loss of Bill. I'm happy that we got to connect with you and Bill a few years ago. I remember Bill in High School so well. He was a driving force for me in the Varsity Club and in sports. A fellow Army Veteran! May he Rest In Peace. I hope we can connect again in the future. Much Love John Carsello and Suzanne"
Steve Mannschreck from Salt Lake City, UT
"Susan and family, So shocked to learn of Bill’s passing. What an amazing man he was ! I am honored to have had the opportunity to work together with him and to get to know your family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you… along with much love. Steve Mannschreck"
from ,
"Brandon our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. You have our deepest sympathies"
John & Pat Whitworth from St. Charles, MO
"Cuz Susan & YOUR family ~ Death does not end a relationship, death does not end love; it’s just different than before. The loss is a difficult journey, but it does get less painful in the passing of time. Thoughts and prayers to all the families and friends. Hang in there. 💕💞💕"
John & Pat Whitworth from St. Charles, MO
"Cuz Susan & YOUR family ~ Death does not end a relationship, death does not end love; it’s just different than before. The loss is a difficult journey, but it does get less painful in the passing of time. Thoughts and prayers to all the families and friends. Hang in there. 💕💞💕 Love to ALL . . ./John & Pat"
Emily Haymond Cline from Rexburg, ID
"Brandon and Family,You are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. May God bless you."
Gena Singh from Chicago, IL
"Brandon I am so sorry to learn about your dad's passing. I am thinking about you and your family during this difficult time. Prayers to you and your family."