William Jackson “Bill” Gates, age 86, formerly of Ridgeland, MS, passed away on Monday, November 16, 2015, at his home in Brookhaven, MS. Funeral services will be held at Parkway Funeral Home, formerly Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS, on Saturday, November 21, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. Prior to the service, visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Jessamine Ridgeland Cemetery.
Bill was born on November 29, 1928, in Meridian, MS, to Frank David and Tressie Strong Gates. He married Emma Frances Ogletree on June 15, 1951, and they enjoyed 62 years of marriage prior to her death in 2013. Bill and Frances lived in Jackson, Greenville and Eupora before settling in Ridgeland in 1966. They lived on Lake Harbor Drive for 45 years before moving to Brookhaven in 2011. During this time, Bill held positions with Mississippi Valley Gas, the City of Ridgeland and Harreld Chevrolet. He owned and operated Trimline Tree Service prior to his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his wife Frances, his parents, and his brothers, George Gates and Charles Gates. He is survived by his three children: Danny Gates (Debbie) of Brookhaven, MS, Dennis Gates (Mary Jean) of Cleveland, MS, and Sharon Shingleton (Boyd) of Anderson, SC. Bill enjoyed being “Granddaddy” to his seven grandchildren: Michael Gates (Faith), Daniel Gates, Steven Gates (Kayla), Will Gates (fiancée Kelsey Hendricks), Jennifer Gates Ellis (Daniel), Victoria Shingleton, and Rachel Shingleton and his four great-granddaughters: Emma, Lillie, Ruth Ellen and Mary Michael Gates. Pallbearers will be Michael Gates, Daniel Gates, Steven Gates, Will Gates, Brad Ogletree and Rock Arnold.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Bill’s caregivers, Shirley O'Quinn, Faye Smith and Jo Newell, as well as Dr. Ray Montalvo and the Hospice Ministries staff. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 7717 Old Canton Road, Madison, MS 39110.
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