William Spencer Bates

William Spencer Bates, 99 of Hamilton died Monday, February 1, 2011 at his home in Hamilton.
He was born January 8, 1912 at Hamilton, Montana to Orman J. and Emma Pruett Bates. His mother died when he was 16 months old, so his oldest sister Milly raised him until his other sisters were able to help in his up bringing.
He joined the Army and was in World War II and stationed in New Guinea most of his military days. He returned to the Bitterroot after his discharge and married Mary Walker on June 14, 1946. They ran the "Pasttime", which was an eatery with pool tables. They sold the "Pasttime" and bought a farm west of Hamilton and began milking cows. They peddled their milk door to door in the valley for many years.
In June of 1947, a son, William John Bates was born. He became a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War. In October of 1973 while rescuing pilots off the coast of Japan, his helicopter crashed and he was killed.
Bill stayed on the ranch and spent his winters in Mesa, AZ playing bridge, golfing and shooting pool.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son, four sisters and three brothers.
He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, Lila Peterson of OR., Barbara (Ken) Worboys of Canada, Bob (Laurie) McKay of NC., Jim (Nan) McKay of AZ., Janine (Norm) Anderson of AZ., Gayle (Elmer) Tintzman of Corvallis, MT., Evelyn (Larry) Bates Keogh of Stevensville., MT., Roy (Pat) Bates of Hamilton and AZ., Terry (Judy) Tintzman of Kalispell, MT., Steve (Cheryl) Tintzman of Victor, MT., and Bret (Dori) Tintzman of Corvallis.
Bill was a unique man, high morals, honest, stubborn, frugal, brilliant bridge player, avid golfer, and smart pool shooter. Meant what he said and could tell you off in six words or less and you knew you had been reprimanded. If he like you, you were in life Flynn, if he didn't, you were out in the cold forever. He was a man of few words but when he did say something it was worth listening to. Having said all this, he was still our uncle Bill and we loved him very much. He will be greatly missed by all of us.
A memorial service will be held in the summer sometime.