Ronnie William Bates

Ronnie William Bates, 64, of Sun City, AZ passed away on Thursday January 19, 2023. He was born in Litchfield, Illinois on August 23, 1958. Ron graduated from Litchfield in 1976 and attended the University of Illinois Fire Academy. Ron began his firefighting career with the City of Litchfield as a volunteer for the Litchfield Fire Department for 5 years before serving as a professional firefighter from 1982 until his retirement in 2010. Ron was a member of the Litchfield IAFF Local 3252. He moved to Sun City, AZ in 2015 where he lived out his retirement with his wife Deborah who he married in 2010. Ron is survived by his wife Deborah Ann Bates (Hillier).

Ron is also survived by his son Christopher Bates (Litchfield, IL); son Trevor (Samantha) Bates (Hillsboro, IL); daughter Kylie Bates (Litchfield, IL); daughter Stephanie (Chuck) Balogh (Peoria, AZ), daughter Christina (Eddie) Eades (Surprise, AZ); brother Michael (Barbara) Bates (Litchfield, IL), brother Jeff (Scherrie) Bates (Litchfield, IL), brother Steve (Muffin) Bates (Litchfield, IL); Brother in law Ronald Hillier; mother in law Caroline Rincker; Granddaughter Ashlyn (Wyatt) Hickman, Grandson Tejay Balogh; Granddaughter Samantha (Adrian) Dominguez, Granddaughter Holly Hauser (Tyler Potter);Grandson Ethan Hauser; Granddaughter Chloe Hauser, Granddaughter Katlynn Pomatto, Grandson Karson McConnell Grandson Mason Bates and Grandson Daxton Bates ; 6 great grandchildren, several nephews and nieces. Ron is preceded in death by his parents William Lee and Dorothy (Tinsman) Bates and his brother Larry Lee Bates.

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