Billy Andrew Bates, better known as “Bo” went to be with his Lord and Savior, Thursday January 21, 2021 in Pasadena, Texas, after a long battle with cancer. Bo was born November 25, 1943 to Gene and Edith Bates in Waldron, Arkansas. He was 77 years old.
Bo was hard headed and stubborn. You never knew what to expect when you were with him. He worked hard and played harder. He always wanted everyone to have fun and a good time. He loved being with his family and friends. He enjoyed being outside and listening to the radio. When you saw Bo, you always saw a “cold one” in his hand. In his last months, he traded that “cold one”, outside, and the radio, for his couch, old westerns, Joel Osteen sermons, and chocolate milkshakes. If you told him you were bringing him one at 3:00, you had better be there, because at 3:01 you were late and he was going to let you know it.
He always said he just didn’t think he could make the ride back home, well dad you finally made it just fine.
Bo is survived by his children, Daughter Kimberly Wetuski and husband Tommy of Pasadena, Texas, son Billy Bates and wife Tammy of Pasadena, Texas, Darcy Cunningham of Boise, Idaho, Heather Vogt of Crosby, Texas, Jeremy Flowers and wife Amanda of Highlands, Texas, grandchildren; Quinten Vance of Pasadena, Texas, Presley Bates of Pasadena, Texas, Justin Johnson of Boise, Idaho, Chance Jackson of Boise, Idaho, Joey Johnson of Boise, Idaho, Dominick Vogt of League City, Texas, Nic Calo of Crosby, Texas, sisters; Treva Coffey and husband Ralph of Waldron, Arkansas, Lucille Carpenter and husband Donald of Waldron, Arkansas, his brother Scotty Bates of Fort Smith, Arkansas, as well as many nieces and nephews, friends and the mother of his children.
Bo is preceded in death by his wife Belinda Bates, his parents Gene and Edith Bates, brother Thomas Bates, nephew Cody Carpenter, and son-in-law Glen Vance.
Bo’s life celebration will be at 11:00 a.m. on January 26, 2021 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Bro. Larry Free, officiating. Internment will follow in the Freedom Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Bo’s visitation will be January 26, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.
You may leave words of remembrance for Bo’s family by visiting www.heritagememorialfh.com.
There is no expiration date on the love between a father and his child.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.
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