BATES, Ray W.

Ray W. Bates, 85, was born April 20, 1918 in Konawa, Oklahoma to Ben and Lillie Bates. He entered into rest April 28, 2003 in Mesa, Arizona. Ray graduated from Konawa High School in 1935 before moving onto Oklahoma A&M, graduating with a B.S. and Masters in Soils in 1942 & 43. He then went on to serve his country in the US Army during World War II from 1944 to 1946 being honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant. Following his military service Ray and his wife Bea moved to Arizona in 1951. Together they traveled extensively in the United States and Europe. Ray went on to work for the US Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service for over 30 years. He is survived by his wife, Beatrice Jane Bates, sons, Kenneth R. Bates (Susan), Roger W. Bates and Donald G. Bates (Helen), sisters, Dorothea Coyle and Lucille Cloud, 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be on Friday May 2, 2003 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Phoenix Memorial Mortuary, 200 W. Beardsley Rd., Phoenix, AZ. Funeral Services will be immediately following at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, 1028 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006. Published in the Arizona Republic on 5/1/2003.