Virgil Lee Bates
Virgil Lee Bates, 74 of Moses Lake, passed away Tuesday, Sept.16, 2008. He was born Aug. 4, 1934, in Flint, Mich., to Lawrence and Laura Bates.
Virgil was a veteran of the U.S Army, serving in the Korean War. He received the “Good Conduct” medal and expert rifleman.
He married the great love of his life; Ruth Mae Greger, Dec. 31, 1964, (On July 26, 2002, Virgil and Ruth were sealed for time and all eternity, in the Columbia River Temple). Virgil first came to Moses Lake in 1969 with his wife, and their daughters, Ren/ and Monique. Virgil was a man of abundant energy, always working hard for his family, retiring from three different jobs: Moses Lake School district in 1992, Basic American Food Co. in 1996 and Home Healthcare in 1998. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, mechanic, storyteller, part-time inventor, and jack of all trades. In his spare time he loved to work on cars, care for the garden, and be with his family. He played the guitar and harmonica for the enjoyment of all. He taught love and compassion throughout his life by the way he treated friends, family and even strangers.
Virgil was proceeded in death by his siblings, Thomas Clayton Bates, Calvin Bates, Virginia Mireau, and Betty Bowden; his son, Mark and granddaughters, Leslie Christofferson and Heather Guy. He is survived by his beloved wife and companion of 44 years, Ruth Bates, his children, Ren/ Hancock (husband Al), and Monique Guy (husband Robert); grandchildren, Erica Lee Anderson, Karlene Christofferson, Megan Guy Sieloff (husband Phillip), Amaris Guy Fletcher (husband Mark), Nathanael Guy, Elizabeth Guy, Jedediah Lee Guy, Rebekah Guy, Jeremiah Guy, Hannah Guy, Abigail Guy, Moriah Guy, Michael Guy and Clara Guy; great-grandchildren, Joseph and Vincent Fletcher; and Virgil’s remaining sister, Donna Ebough.
Our deepest gratitude goes to the staff at Lakeridge Special Care Center and his many doctors for all their thoughtful care, to Carver’s Funeral Home for going above and beyond, and to everyone who has shown compassion to those of us still here. “God be with you till we meet again.”