Bates, William J. 'Bull'

William J. “Bull” Bates, 73, of Iowa City, died at his home, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City, with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City.

William James Bates was born Feb. 14, 1937, in Waupun, Wis., the son of Frank and Henrietta (Cunningham) Bates. His family moved to Iowa City, where he attended schools, graduating from City High School in 1956. He was united in marriage to Virginia K. Nelson on Feb. 22, 1963. For many years Bull worked with the former Iowa - Illinois Gas & Electric Co., retiring in 1988.

He was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing, and he loved auto racing. Many who knew Bull knew his uncanny way of smoking everything he caught or shot, and more!

His family includes his four children, Ruth Beemer (Tom Michel) of Tiffin, James Bates (Vicki Newell) of Wellman, John Bates of Iowa City and Marnie Bates (Thomas “Treyvon” Clark) of Iowa City; six grandchildren, Dalton and Tim Beemer, Zacharey and Dakota Bates, and Trey and Kiara Beard; and Bull's in-laws, Ruth and Willard “Curly” Walter of Iowa City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and a sister, Betty Brenneman.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his memory.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at