Obituary of Billy Gene Bates

Billy Gene Bates of Merritt Island, Florida passed peacefully on February 27, 2016. Bill was born in Jacksonville, Florida to the late Olin Noah Bates and Laura Crawford Bates and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating from Technological High School in 1946. He enlisted in the United States Navy in July 1947. His second station was Corpus Christi, Texas. It was there that he met Margaret Pekarik of Lansford, Pennsylvania. They were married April 8, 1950. He exited the Navy in 1950, graduated from John Marshall Law School, then re-enlisted in 1955. Bill had a distinguished military career, receiving the Navy Commendation Medal twice, the Gold Star, and the Meritorious Service Medal among other awards. His career was marked by steady advancement and promotions from his enlistment as Yeoman to his retirement as Commander on October 31, 1983. In 1958 Bill was selected to serve as a member of the first Blue Crew of the USS Robert E Lee, the Navy+óGé¼Gäós third nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarine, based in New London, Connecticut. He served at stations including NAS Oceana Dam Neck Annex Virginia, Naval Base Guam, Holy Loch Scotland and the Naval Ordnance Test Unit at Cape Canaveral Florida. Bill was on the original team that opened the Naval Submarine Base at Kings Bay Georgia. In retirement Bill was an avid golfer and thoroughly enjoyed managing the large grove of mangos that he planted. He touched lives across central Florida as a promoter of mango cultivation. Bill is survived by his wife, Marge, his daughter Debbie (husband Jeff) of Atlanta, Georgia, his son Michael (wife Debbi) of Merritt Island, Florida, and grandsons Noah (wife Rachel) and Adam. Bill was loved and will be missed. Bill will be interred at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 1:30 p.m.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 123, 400 Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island, FL 32952.