Elvitt William “Bill” Bates

Elvitt William “Bill” Bates

Springville

Elvitt William “Bill” Bates, 78, of Springville, Iowa, passed away on Monday, March 13, 2023, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha. After a courageous battle with lung and brain cancer. Per his wishes, he was cremated and there will be no services. Entrusted with the arrangements is Iowa Cremation.

Bill was born July 5, 1944, in Tama, Iowa, the son of Elvitt and Pearl (Bobst) Bates. Bill served honorably in the U.S. Army for two years. After being honorably discharged, Bill worked for the Milwaukee Railroad until he retired. He married Shirley on July 17, 1969, in Marion, Iowa. Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Shirley Bates; a son, Billy Bates; five step-children, whom he raised as his own, Jeff (Julie)Athey, Kim (Steve) Stumpff, Robin (Mike Beaty) Kannenberg, Tammy Athey and Tracy (Grant) Baumann; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy (Dean) Teslik and Cheryl Kalina; a brother, Brad Bates; and many loving nieces, nephews and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers-in-law, Gene Franzenburg and Ron Kalina; sister-in-law, Joyce Gearhart; mother-in-law, Louise Gearhart; and a nephew, Daryl Franzenburg.

The family would like to thank all the staff from the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House for their love, support and tender care given to Bill.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice, www.mercycare.org/giving/hospice/.

Online condolences may be conveyed at www.iowacremation.com.