Obituary of William "Willie" Bates

August 6, 1964 - December 27, 2025

William “Willie” Bates, 61, of Woodville, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025 at Tyler County Hospital in Woodville, Texas.

A celebration of life service for William will be held at a later date.

Williams was born August 6, 1964 to Wiley Edward and Laverne Coaker Bates in Birmingham, Alabama. A former resident of Orange and had lived in Tyler County for the past 10 years. He was a retired wireman from the Local IBEW #479. He had enjoyed the last few years as the part owner of the Cajun Restaurant at Dam-B.

He was preceded in death by his father, Wiley Edward Bates.

He is survived by his wife of 5 years, Cherry Bates of Woodville; mother, Laverne Bates of Leakesville, Mississippi; son, Tanner Bates of Orange; and daughter, Tera Bates of Vidor.

Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Woodville, Texas.