Obituary of William Joseph Bates

William Joseph Bates, age 64 of Mount Pleasant, PA, died Saturday December 24, 2016 in the Excela Health- Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg, PA. Mr. Bates was born August 14, 1952 in Buffalo, NY, the son of the late William and Rita McColpin Bates. He was Catholic by Faith. Bill worked for most of his life as a long distance Truck Driver. He had been an avid fisherman for many years and especially loved camping and fishing in Canada. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and neighbors. Bill is survived by his loving family: his wife of 43 years, Karen Guenther Bates, whom he met when he was 17 years old, his son, Daniel J. Bates (Natalie Perrin), and by his granddaughter, Andrey Bates. He is also survived by his two sisters, Bonnie Kenney, and Beverly Bates and their families, his brother Kevin Bates, his three aunts; Doris Bajak, Lolita Sheehan and Shirley McColpin and numerous cousins, by his brother in law, Kenneth Guenther (Diane Garrett) and his daughter, and his extended family of Karen Wojcik and her sons. Family and friends will be received Saturday, December 31, 2016, from 1 until 2 PM at the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, 204 Eagle Street, Mount Pleasant. Funeral Services will immediately follow at 2:00 PM in the funeral home, with the Rev. Richard J. Kosisko officiating. Inurnment will be private.In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society in memory of William J. Bates. To offer an online condolence, please visit our web site at: www.galone-carusofuneralhome.com