J.W. Bates

TUSCALOOSA – J.W. Bates, age 80, of Tuscaloosa, passed away July 24, 2020 in Tuscaloosa. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at Memory Chapel Funeral Home with Bart Latner officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial provider, directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Mr. Bates was preceded in death by his wife, Sally Bates; son, Kenneth Bates; parents, Charlie and Rosa Bates; and eleven brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his daughters, Christy Bates Foster and Charlotte Bates Barger; sister, Ruth Smithson; brother, Robert Bates; grandchildren, Michael Bates (Sarah), Brett Barger, Tyler Bates, Randi Martin (Billy), Dylan Barger (Emily), Christin F. Brown (Forrest), and Abbi Foster; and great-grandchildren, Hunter, Kaden, Hadley, Carson, Hodge, Harper, Ross, and Saylor.

J.W. was a devout Christian. He served four years in the National Guard and four years in the US Navy. He retired from the V.A. Hospital. J.W. loved being with his family, working in his garden, and watching Alabama football.

Pallbearers will be Michael Bates, Forrest Brown, Dylan Barger, Kaden Barger, J.C. Hoggle, and Jeff Hoggle.

Honorary pallbearers are Michael Giles, Joey Martin, David Tucker, Ricky Davis, Bill Boyd, Sonnie Vintson, Tyler Bates, Brett Barger, Marston Martin, and Billy Martin.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.