William F. Bates, 89, of Sun City AZ Formerly of Pender NE

William F. “Bill” Bates age 89, of Sun City, Arizona formerly of Pender, Nebraska went home to heaven on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, in Sun City, Arizona.  Graveside services will be conducted at Rose Hill Cemetery at Pender on Thursday, February 11, 2016, at 2 p.m.  A Celebration of Life will follow at the Pender Lanes from 3 until 6 p.m.  In lieu of flowers or memorials, please donate in memory of Bill Bates to the: Nebraska Community Foundation/FBO Pender Community Center.

Bill was born to Esther and Rueben Bates Aug 11, 1926 in Wisner, Bill was the only son in the family of four children.  In 1940 the family moved to Pender, where Rueben managed Moseman Lumber Company and Bill entered high school.   Upon high school graduation in 1944 and at the tender age of 17 Bill enlisted in the navy.

Returning to Pender after two years of service, he met Barbara Gay Benton, they married August 11, 1947. They first lived in Pender, moved to Thurston for a few years, and returned to Pender. Bill began as an employee of K-B Lumber (formerly Moseman Lumber) on his return from military service and eventually became owner in 1966.

Active in many community organizations, Bill was a member of the VFW, the Masons, the school & hospital boards and co-chairman of the Pender Jubilee celebration.  He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, from Sunday school teacher with Gay, to singing in the choir and serving as deacon.

He enjoyed bowling, week-end boating and water skiing with his family, playing bridge, flying his Cessna, and playing golf. His sense of humor and loyalty to his friends endeared him to many.

Retirement took Bill to Sun City, Arizona where he and his wife Jeri Tuttle Brown lived until his death.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Harriet, Marilyn, Helen, and wife Barbara Gay. He is survived by wife Jeri (Tuttle Brown), Sun City, AZ; son Mike (Carolina), Barcelona, Spain; daughters Valerie (Brian) Redington, Las Cruces, NE and Sherri (Tom) Sobotka,Lewis & Clark Lake, grandchildren BJ (Amanda) and Jocelyn Bates, Scott (Jodi) and Chelsea Redington, and Jason (Jenna), Sarah and Nicole Sobotka, great grandsons  Barret and Grant Redington, Miller Bates, and great granddaughter Mia Sobotka. Stepdaughters Sue (Gary) Wickstrom and Jeannie (Brian) Patterson.