Billy Wayne Bates, 95, went on to be with his Lord on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at his home in Fredericksburg, Virginia surrounded by his family and comforted by his faith in God. Bill was born in Warren, on June 27, 1929 to James Travis Bates and Bessie Enid Riley. Bill was married to the love of his life and ministry partner, Jettie Evelyn Burgin Bates, of Bardstown, Ky. for 64 years. She preceded him in death on January 11, 2018.
Bill served in the US Navy Reserves from 1950 to 1958. He attended Arkansas Tech (1948) to pursue radio engineering. He majored in Bible at Freed-Hardeman College (1954), and Harding College (1956) as he prepared himself for ministry. Bill’s greatest achievement in life was as a minister and church leader to his earthly and spiritual family. Bill began preaching in his hometown of Warren in 1950. He ministered for over 70 years, principally serving two congregations in Virginia, the Airline Boulevard Church of Christ in Portsmouth, Va. (1958-1965; 1970-1987) and the Fredericksburg Church of Christ (1965-1970; 1987-2008). Bill functioned as an elder and lead minister in both congregations. He was also an international evangelist, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in India and Guyana.
Bill lived in reverent devotion to God, shepherding hundreds to the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. He loved studying God’s Word and loved the church, his spiritual family. Bill had a great passion for life. He was very dedicated to his family and enjoyed any time he could spend with them. Bill had many hobbies. He loved fishing with his family and friends. He loved music, often finding a song to sing, sign language and his ministry to those who were hard of hearing. Early in life, he put his love for journalism and printing to work as a correspondent for the Associated Press. Bill was a big sports fan and was the sports editor of his hometown newspaper, “The Eagle Democrat.” He was a big fan of the Washington Redskins and the Washington Nationals.
But above all and at all times, Bill was a dedicated servant to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Like the man who found a great treasure in the field, Bill sold all he had to pursue a life of knowing and serving God.
A phrase he often quoted for others from Matthew 25:21 now ministers to him: “Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
Among his survivors are his two sons, Daryl of Fredericksburg, Va. and Bruce of Cumberland, R.I.; eight grandchildren, Christopher Bates of Los Angeles, Calif., Jonathan Bates of Virginia Beach, Va., Aja Bates of Norcross, Ga., Finn Bates of Norcross, Ga., Lydia Di Cino of Fredericksburg, Va., Steven Bates of Fredericksburg, Va., Lee Bates of Meherrin, Va., and Annie Bates of Woonsocket, R.I.; and five great grandchildren, Gabriel, Alexa, and Emma Di Cino, and Noah and McKenna Bates; and four daughters-in-law, Barbara Bates, Deborah Bates, Laurie Bates, and Janet Bates. Bill was preceded in death by his half-brother, Earnest “Hickey” Sledd; sister Vera Nell Bates Lenox and brother James Gerald Bates. Also preceding Bill in his death were his sons, Lawrence of Portsmouth, Va., and James of Norcross, Ga.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Fredericksburg Church of Christ, 336 Riverside Drive, Fredericksburg, Va. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. for a visitation at the church. A reception will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Kairos Church Planting. (https://kairoschurchplanting.org/give/)
Online guest book is available at covenantfuneralservice.com.
