Melvin Ray Bates

Melvin R. Bates passed peacefully and into the presence of the Lord in the early morning hours of April 13, 2017 at Cottage in the Meadow after a long illness. Melvin was born in Manhattan, MT on December 8, 1924.

He is survived by his brother Harley Bates, children; Judy Moore (Howard), David Bates (Vicki), Stephen Bates (Ruthie), Winnie Head (Pam), Virginia Fahey (Bill), Kenny Wilmoth, Chuck Wilmoth, Melvin Wilmoth, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is one of the “Greatest Generation,” who enlisted in the US Army after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. During WWII he was wounded in action (for which he was awarded the Purple Heart) and also was captured and became a prisoner of war.

The family wishes to thank the volunteers and staff at Cottage in the Meadow for their compassion, understanding and professional and loving support to our Dad.

Viewing will be held at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home, Yakima, WA on Monday, April 17th from 4-8pm. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 18th, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. with full military honors following at the Wapato Reservation Community Memorial Park, Wapato, WA. To celebrate the life of Melvin and share a memory visit www.lepfuneralhome.com.