William Wesley Cates (Lebanon)'s Obituary
William Wesley Cates, son of Clarence A. and Lorene B. Pierce Cates, was born September 16, 1933, near Lanton, Missouri. He departed this life Saturday, January 7, 2012, in Christian Health Care South, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of seventy-eight years, three months, and twenty-one days.
On July 16, 1958, he was united in marriage to Betty Jo Murphy, and to this union two daughters were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his former wife, Elaine; and a great-grandchild, Jadin Smith.
Bill is survived by two daughters, Robin Perkins, and her husband, Kevin, of Stoutland, Missouri, and Rhonda Cornelison, and her husband, Michael, of Lebanon, Missouri; six grandchildren, Jessica, Joshua, Jason, Marissa, Luke, and Madeline; two great-grandchildren, Carter and Izaiah; three brothers, Junior Cates, of Pocahontas, Arkansas, Bob Cates, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Kenneth Cates, of Cuba, Missouri; two sisters, Sue Smith, of Imboden, Arkansas, and Betty Jane Selvage, of Jonesboro, Arkansas; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was raised in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, and received his education there. He joined the United States Army as a young man, and served his country faithfully for three years. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he returned to Walnut Ridge, where he made his home for several years. In the late 1960’s, he moved to the Lebanon, Missouri area. He worked for Independent Stave Company for several years, and then was employed as a machinist by Vernon and Sons for a number of years.
In his spare time he enjoyed antiques of all kinds, and particularly liked collecting antique butter churns. He also liked restoring antique cars. He enjoyed driving and taking trips where he could look for antiques. He possessed a sweet, kind and giving personality, and loved his family dearly.
Bill was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
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