Hilton Randolph Bates Jr.

Angelo, TX was reunited with his beloved wife Ann and his Lord and Savior on Sunday,

November 20, 2022 after a short illness. Ron was born in Greensville, Mississippi to Hilton Sr.

and Colito Lee, soon moved to Brownwood, where he spent his life through his graduation from

Brownwood High School in 1950. Ron was both active in the choir with his life long friend Tom

Adams, and athletics during his high school years, but his love of music led him to

Hardin-Simmons, where he majored in music education. Under the direction of Euell Porter,

Ron was a member of the A Capella Choir, where he also participated in several quartets with

both Tom and Bill Hardage. One of the highlights of his collegiate choir career was being a part

of the choir for the Billy Graham Youth Rally in 1952. Early in 1953, he began dating a fellow

choir member, Katie Ann Hohertz. This led to their marriage in 1955 with their family and many

of their friends from Hardin Simmons participating. They were married for sixty-four years which

ended with her death in 2020. In 1954, Ron graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music

Education. Later, in 1961, he obtained a Master’s Degree from Texas Tech University.

Ron was the Youth Director at First Methodist Church in Plainview, TX in 1954-1955. He was

Choral Director at Bowie Jr. High, Ector High School and several Methodist Churches

throughout his choral director career. In 1965, Ron and Ann moved to San Angelo, where Ron

became the director of music at Central High School, where he was director of the Chorale until

his move to High School administration in 1974. He also was Chorus Master of the San Angelo

Symphony Chorale as well as volunteered with the First Methodist choir while he was directing

students. The years he was the director of Music were his happiest years. How he loved to

remember directing choirs with his friend and assistant Carol (CT) Aly, and being with his

students. Music was his life long passion and joy. He loved to see his students grow in their

love of music. His tradition of the Chorale singing Beautiful Savior, arranged by F. Melius

Christiansen, was one of his favorite choral memories with all of his choirs. In 1974, Ron

became an Assistant Principal at Central High School, a role he remained in until retirement in

1992.

In 2015, Ron and Ann moved to Richardson, TX to live closer to daughter Kathryn and family.

He is preceded in death by parents, his beloved wife, and best friends , Tom and Juanice

Adams and Maurice and Glena Alfred. He will be greatly and deeply missed by daughter

Melissa, and her spouse David and 2 sons, David Lee Goodall III and Randy Goodall, daughter

Kathryn, spouse Byron and daughters Rachel, Heather and Sarah.

Visitation will be held Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Johnson's

Funeral Home, 435 W Beauregard Ave, San Angelo, Texas 76903. Following the visitation

will be a celebration of life service at 2:00 PM at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com for the Bates family.