Wallace Wally Bates Leon Bates

Wallace Leon Bates, of Assiniboia, SK, passed away November 20th, 2012 at the Assiniboia Union Hospital, Assiniboia, SK. Wally is survived by his wife Florence, brother Elgin, four children: James (Corinne), Lynda (Mike), Richard (Brenda) and Donald; grandchildren: Melvin, Samantha, Margaret, Andrea, Rusell, Carlene, Jeffery and Jaden; great-grandchildren: Courtney, Jazmine, Shea, Brooke, Cadence, Coda, Sasha, James and Mitchell. Wally was predeceased by his parents, George and Etta Bates, brothers: George, Dwane, Bud and Wilbert; sisters: Abigail, Elda, Unice, Sylvia, Verna and Ora and daughter Margaret.

Wallace was born to George and Etta Bates on the farm at Readlyn, Saskatchewan, the ninth of fifteenth children on November 13th, 1919. Wally took his schooling at Enescourthy School, working hard on the farm and in the coal mines near Assiniboia until joining the army in the Second World War; spending four years in service as a gunner. Wally was stationed in British Columbia and Nova Scotia. When he was done serving his country, he worked as a mechanic in Toronto where he then met Florence Hayes and were married in 1947. In 1950 Wally and Florence bought a dairy farm at Oakwood, Ontario. Busy milking cows and doing custom farm work for the neighbours and inspecting cattle for the government. Also during this time they were busy raising their four children Jim, Lynda, Richard, and Margaret. The farm was sold in 1959 when they then took their family to Edmonton where their youngest son Donald was born. Here Wally worked for the airport service station. Two years had passed when they then moved the family to Verwood, Saskatchewan where Wally bought the junction (#13 & #36) service station where he owned and operated as a mechanic until he retired in 1987 when Wally and Florence then moved to Assiniboia, Saskatchewan. Wally was a great man. When we think about him the words that come to mind are: hard worker, caring, humorous, faithful, respectful, storyteller, craftsman and family man. These are just a few words that come to mind, but it is impossible to summarize how great a person he was in words. We are going to miss his jokes, wisdom and love; one day in the future we will meet again in heaven. We will all miss you and love you always and forever.

Funeral Service was held Saturday, November 24th, 2012 in Ross Funeral Chapel, Assiniboia, SK. Pastor Greg Dermody officiated. Tribute was given by Granddaughter Margaret Wilkie as well as musical tribute “Amazed” by Granddaughter Samantha Harder accompanied by her husband Jason on guitar. Legion Rites and Honor Guard by the Royal Canadian Legion, Assiniboia Branch # 17. Pallbearers were: Dwayne Woolhouse, Al Birchard, Elridge Stianson, Darrell Stianson, Eugene Clermont, and Duwane Oppeboen. Interment followed at Mount Hope Cemetery, Assiniboia, SK. Donations in Memory of Wally may be made to the South Country Health Care Foundation Inc., (for the Assiniboia Union Hospital), PO Box 1750, Assiniboia, SK S0H 0B0. Arrangements entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.rossfuneralservice.com