After Bill Bates Jr. graduated from Emory University in the spring of 1941, his initial plan was to accept a scholarship to attend the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of business. But as the U.S. became involved in World War II that year, his plans changed.
Bates enlisted, and was commissioned, in the Marine Corps in 1942 and he remained in the military for 20 years, achieving the rank of Colonel and participating in significant historical events.
“He was a Marine’s Marine,” said George L. Bailey, a retired colonel. “There is no doubt in my mind that he would have made General if he’d stayed on active duty.”
William LeRoy Bates Jr., called Bill by most, of Atlanta, died Feb. 22 from complications of an aneurysm. He was 91. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Tuesday at All Saints Episcopal Church. His ashes will be buried in the church cemetery. H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill is in charge of arrangements.
Bates military career, which ended in the early-‘60s, included participation in World War II and the Korean War. During World War II, Bates served on the USS Lexington, he received battle stars for combat in the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and attacks on the Japanese. He was awarded Silver and Bronze stars for his participation in the Korean War, where he was a company commander in the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, and fought in the Inchon Landing, the capture of Seoul, the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea, and the fighting in central Korea in the spring of 1951.
Bates made Colonel in 1962 and retired in 1965, after more than 20 years in the Marines, said his daughter Catherine “Cat” Bates Coulmas of Acworth.
Born in Columbia, S.C., Bates spent some of his youth in Atlanta. He graduated from Boys High School before heading to Emory for college. Had he not gone into the Marines, his daughter believes he would have done work similar to what he did in the military.
After retirement Bates worked for a building supply company, in real estate, the construction industry and for the state of Georgia. He also found love, his daughter said. In 1970 Bates married Charlotte Starr Bagley, Coulmas said. The couple was married for 37 years when she died in 2007.
“It is hard for me to put in words how I feel about him,” Coulmas said. “Of course I will remember him as a great dad, but all of the calls that I’m getting from people in the Marines that I’ve never met will help me remember him also as a great Marine.”
In addition to his daughter, Bates is survived by his step-daughter Claire Starr Shouse of Atlanta; brother, James O. Bates of North Ridge, Calif.; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
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