William Peter Kates

Date of Birth: September 10, 1936

Date of Death: April 5, 2025

William Peter Kates, age 88, of Fort Collins, Colorado, passed away on April 5, 2025. He was referred to as “Peter” by his family and friends. He was born on September 10, 1936 in Oak Park, Illinois to Peter and Bertha Kates. Peter is survived by his three sons and their spouses, Peter (Jill), Zachary (Debra), and Christian (Rebecca) and his grandchildren, Anna, William, Owen, Sarah, and Alexander. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years of marriage, Constance. Peter was also preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Bertha, his In-Laws, Helen and Zach Nicolopulos, his brothers and their spouses, Christ (Sally), Theodore (Mary Lejeune), Andrew, and his sister, Bessie, who died at an early age. Peter grew up next to the tracks in Oak Park, Illinois. His father, who owned a counter restaurant called Candyland, died when Peter was young. He was raised by his mother and his older brothers. Peter attended Oak Park High School and eventually attended the Illinois Institute of Technology with the support of his brothers earning a degree in Chemical Engineering. Peter spent the majority of his career working as a chemical engineer at the Lemont refinery for the Union Oil Company, even surviving a deadly explosion that occurred in 1984. He met his wife, Connie, at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in the young adults group. They were married on July 16, 1967 and raised their family in Western Springs, Illinois. Peter had a passion for music, nature, and his family. He sang in the church choir his entire life, even at Saint Spyridon Orthodox Church in Loveland, Colorado after moving to Fort Collins in 2017. The Kates family spent many years enjoying the outdoors at their cabin in Door County, Wisconsin. Peter devoted his life to caring for his family. Funeral services will be held at Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church in Westchester, Illinois on April 14, 2025 with visitation at 11:30 AM and funeral service at 12:00 PM. Peter will be laid to rest next to his wife at Elmwood Cemetery in River Grove, Illinois following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in memory of his wife, who struggled with breast cancer.