James William, “J.W.”, Bates, born June 24, 1922 in Pittsburgh, Texas, to Homer Dee Bates and Ruth Opal Goolsby and died in his home on July 19, 2016, surrounded by family. J.W. lived in Houston most of his life until he moved to Temple 11 years ago to be near his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Hazel Tullos Bates, and his daughter Bonnie Bates Fowler, of Temple. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brittany Fowler Norman, her husband Michael and their five children, Benjamin, Madeleine Ruth, Mary Catherine, Phoebe and Elena; and, Carey Seth Fowler, his wife Melanie and their two children, William and Margaret; and those who he called his family, Judy and Frank Norman, Laura and Matt Frazier and their children Emmy, Maggie and Gage, and Margarita and Greg Norman and their children Alejandra and Mark. Throughout his life, he was committed to helping children succeed. He taught Sunday School and was a Deacon in First Baptist Churches in Houston, Pasadena and Temple. He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Master Mason and a Shriner, and as such committed time, finances and service to helping children with crippling illness receive treatment. After all his years of service, he was overjoyed two years ago to write a recommendation for his last great-grandchild, Elena, to be seen at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children where she received her prosthetic leg and is being treated for scoliosis. He was a Lifetime Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Association and a Lifetime Member of the Calf Scramble Association, through which he supported young people in their interest in animals and the rodeo. J.W. served in the 15th Air Force, 98th Bomb Group in World War II, stationed in Italy. After the war, he returned to Houston and worked in the restaurant business for 55 years, retiring from ownership of the Dinner Bell Cafeteria in 1989. Since he was a little boy, J.W. loved to sing and play the guitar. Everyone who knew him knew that he loved to make music. He sang with his daughter, in the church choir, and participated with independent singing groups his whole life. In Temple he was a member of the James Gang and brought joy to many as he performed for seniors around the community. He sang to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren all their lives and to many other children at church over the years. His love for Gospel music and Gospel quartets permeated his life. He loved horses and singing, checkers with his great-grandchildren, old westerns, his church and his family. He will be missed by many. Visitation will be held Friday, July 22 at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home from 6-8pm. Funeral service will be conducted by Pastor Ronny Marriot at First Baptist Temple on Saturday, July 23 at 11am. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Texas Scottish Rite for Children Hospital, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX 75219, ATTN: Development Department.
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