Willard Ray Gates Sr., 78, passed away Monday, June 11, 2018 in Jacksonville, FL. He was born May 19, 1940 to Walter and Alice Gates in Phoenix, AZ. Willard was in the United States Navy and retired after 20 years serving our country. He loved watching Nascar racing, University of Florida Gators, Alabama Crimson Tide, painting, cooking fixing cars and fishing. His ultimate love was spending time with family as well as the SCA; Society for Creative Anachronism, which focuses on researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th century Europe. Willard is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, 2 sisters and one son, John W. Gates II. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Maria, who he loved with all his heart, children Jessica Sloan, Willard Gates Jr., Ellizabeth Eddins (Tony Kell), Joseph (Elizabeth) Gates, Alice Beckstrom, grandchildren Brittany (Quentin) Moore, Taylor, Willard III, Raymond, Emmy, Shane, Amber, Joseph Jr., Zander, Aiden, Thomas, two nieces, several nephews and several cousins. A visitation for friends will be held on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 from 11am-12pm at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205. The funeral will begin at 12pm at the funeral home with burial at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218 at 2:30pm.
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