- Date Of Birth: March 10, 1924
- Date Of Death: December 31, 2006
- State: Florida
Lawrence W. Bates, Sr., age 82 of Fort Walton Beach passed away on December 31, 2006 at his home. He was born on March 10, 1924, in Lawndale, Illinois, to Dewey Oscar and Anna Bunzell Bates.
Mr. Bates served 21 years with the United States Air Force with tours in Germany, Japan, Texas and Fort Walton Beach, FL. He moved to Fort Walton Beach in 1962 and was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base. During his military career, he was a police officer with General Patton’s Army during World War II and received numerous medals and accommodations. After his military career, he worked for Anheuser-Busch Co., was assistant manager at Morrison’s Cafeteria, S & S Cafeteria and Abbott Realty in Destin, FL.
He as a member of American Legion # 235 and the VFW Post #7674.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John Bates.
Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Doris A. Bates, son, Lawrence W. Bates, Jr. (Wilma) of Leitchfield, KY, daughters, Karen S. McMurray (Albert), Deborah J. Griffin (Rodney), Kathryn A. Robertson (Anthony), of Fort Walton Beach, FL, Margaret E. Wolfgram, (Marvin) of Navarre, FL, brother, R. O. Bates, (Cecise) of Del Rio, Texas, sister-in-law, Evelyn Bates of Coventry, R.I, sisters, Elayne Rexroat (Robert) of Bloomington, Illinois, Carol A. Todd of Atlanta, GA and Vivian Fountain (Roy) of Medford, Oregon, grandchildren, Christina McCoy (Aaron), Aleecia Coffelt (Mark), Damien Graves (Shelly), Karley Graham (Anthony), Rayna Simms (Shad), Sarah Dunlap (Lennie), Michael Bates, Allison Labadie (Kristian), Amy Coffey, Jennifer Ochs Robertson, Bradley McCurray, Ryan, Brandon, Amber and Taylor Williams, Sarah and Stefan Wolfgram; great grandchildren, Samuel, Chandler, Lanie and Bennett McCoy, Stephen McCarroll, Jazmine and Collin Graves, Gabrielle and Abigail Graham, Titus and Colton Simms, Ian and William Stano, Jacob Stern, Jason, numerous nieces and nephews and Squeakee (his special black cat. He loved his family very much and will be missed by all.
The family wishes to thank the Emerald Coast Cancer Center, Dr. Reed Harned and Covenant Hospice for Larry’s care at this difficult time. We wish to thank Brother Joe and Louise Plott for their thoughtfulness.
