William L. Bates, 63, of Grover Hill, Ohio, passed away on Friday, April 22 from injuries received in a vehicle accident on State Route 114, in Paulding County.

Bates was born July 15, 1952, in Adams County, Ind., the son of the late Glen E. and Annis K. (Marbaugh) Bates.

Bates was a 1970 graduate of Parkway High School. He retired from Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne and drove and trained Standardbreds. He was a member of the Van Wert County Harness Horsemen’s Association, the Mercer County Harness Horsemen’s Association, and the USTA. He had been a member of the U.S. Army Reserve.

On Nov. 17, 2001, he married the former Rhonda Miller, who survives. Other family members include his children, Brandon L. (Alicia), Brenden N. (Marci), Jessica L. and Joshua A. (Kimberly) Bates; sister, Donna Jean Williamson; grandchildren, Sean Mendez, Halle Beougher, Hunter, Bailey, Parker, Bo, Kaiden, Devin Hairston, Aliviah, Ben, Mya Hairston and Owen; father- and mother-in-law, Lonnie and Sue Miller; brothers-in-law, Tim (Jackie) Miller and Tony (Staci) Miller; and a sister-in-law, Nancy (Wade) Carnes. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Donald E.

Bates enjoyed the outdoors, but his family was his life – especially sharing sporting events with his grandchildren.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday (April 29) at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Rev. Rex Roth officiating. Interment will follow at Middle Creek Cemetery near Grover Hill. Calling hours are Thursday (April 28) from 1-8 p.m. and one hour prior to the services Friday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Willshire Youth Activities.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of William Bates.

(USTA)