Chester Arthur “Junior” Bates

Wednesday, February 3, 2016 6:23 pm

Chester Arthur “Junior” Bates, Jr., 67, of Blackwell, Okla., passed away Saturday evening, Jan. 23, 2016, at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita, Kans.

Born October 9, 1948 in Denver, Colo., he was the son of Chester Arthur Bates, Sr., and Hallie Marie (Frye) Bates. He was raised and received his education in Arkansas City and graduated from high school.

He then attended Cowley County Community College for two years. Junior joined the United States Army in August 1967. He served during Vietnam and was stationed at Ft. Carson, Colo. He received his honorable discharge in 1973. He was united in marriage to Neva “Delores” Wilson March 17, 1969, in Newkirk, Okla. The couple made their home in Winfield. They had three children. Junior worked as an oil field welder in the oil fields when he was younger. He most recently worked as a security guard for Wells Fargo at General Electric.

He enjoyed raccoon hunting and fishing, as well as tending his vegetable gardens and polishing silver. He loved to build and weld things.

His family includes his wife, Delores Bates of Blackwell, Ola.; his children: Sheila Marie Schroeder and husband, Robert of Calmar; Jeffrey Alan Bates of Arkansas City; Kristen Michele Davis and husband, Adrian of Wichita; his siblings: Irene Walitalo and husband, Ed of Littleton, Colo.; Shirley Adams and husband, Robert of Arkansas City; Charlotte Stout and husband, Ervin of Arkansas City; Carl Bates and wife, Ruby of Littleton, Colo.; Jerry Bates and wife, Debbie of Harlington, Texas; Ray Bates and wife, Gail of Menisaae, Calif.; Lloyd Bates and wife, Carol of Lakewood, Colo.; Durrel Bates and wife, Joyce of Denver, Colo.; Ben Bates and wife, Shirle of Springfield; Mo.; his grandchildren: Jesse, Kelsey, Korey, Kate, Kelley, Paige, Olivia, Wesley, Kristopher; and his six great-grandchildren.