Mr. William L. Bates, Sr. was born on July 20, 1962 in Charleston, Missouri to Charles Bates (deceased) and Erma Pierce-Bates of Chicago, Illinois. William graduated from Charleston High School where he was a football player and received an athletic scholarship to Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. William served in the United States Army Active Duty for three years and afterwards William joined the Missouri National Guard for an additional three years serving in Panama War. William loved serving his community, he was a Missouri State Highway Trooper for 17 years then moved on to the O’Fallon Missouri Police Department where he was an officer for 6 years. William loved serving the community but due to health reasons he left the field to become an Insurance Agent for 7 years until he was called home to serve. William was preceded in death by his father, Charles Bates. William leaves behind: mother ~ Erma Bates; siblings ~ Dorothy Space, Yolanda Branch, Gawain Bates of Charleston Missouri, Dianna Bates, and Raquel Bates of Chicago, Illinois; two sons ~ William Bates, Jr. of St. Charles, Missouri and Jeff Bates with wife, Kelsie Bates of Springfield, Missouri; grandchildren ~ Willow Bates, Gabriel Bates, Bella Bates, and Koen Bates; as well as multiple nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends ~ Deondre Ross, Sr. and Olivia Larry. William was always a loving, strong willed person, never like owing anyone. He paid his debts and earned his keep. His personality, jokes and smile, will be truly missed. His Favorite words were: “I Got This.”

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