Wilburn Newton Bates, Florence, Alabama, was born June 23, 1929, in Wayne Co., Tennessee, the son of the late John H. and Dora Long Bates. He was united in marriage to Hazel Walker, May 13, 1946, and she preceded him in death on Oct. 20, 2009. Mr. Bates was retired from the city of Florence utility department, was a farmer and was of the Baptist faith.
He departed this life Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, at his home at the age of 86 years, 4 months, 26 days, and is survived by sons, Arthur Newton Bates, Charlie Henry Bates and Clifford R. Bates, all of Cloverdale, Alabama, Jerry H. Bates, Jimmy Ray Bates and Joey N. Bates, all of Florence, Alabama, and Larry Joe Bates, of Jopot, Alabama; daughters, Betty Wallace and Nancy Bates, both of Cloverdale, Alabama; a sister, Vernon Murphy, Elgin Crossroads, Alabama; 23 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Bates was preceded in death by brothers, Carmel C., Willie T., Boyd, Albert and George Bates, and sisters, Effie Murphy and Leona Bromley.
Services will be Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at 1 p.m. at Shackelford Funeral Directors chapel, Collinwood, Tennessee, with Robert Marks officiating. Burial will follow in McGee Cemetery, Waynesboro, Tennessee, with Shackelford Funeral Directors, Wayne County, directing.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be today from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, from 11 a.m. to service time at the funeral home.
Thank you to Dr. Mann and staff and Hospice workers at Amedysis with special thanks to Kim.
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