William Johnson "Jim" Bates, CMSGT, USAF (ret), passed away to be with his Lord on April 2, 2009 at the age of 83. Born December 10, 1925 in Snyder, Texas, he was the 8th child of 9 born to Joseph Nevlin Bates and Nellie Gill Bates.
Five days after graduation from Snyder High School, Jim joined the Army. In Aug 1944 the 18 year old son of a farmer was aboard the troop ship, the Queen Elizabeth, and sailed off to the United Kingdom and into World War II, going through France, Germany and ending the war in Czechoslovakia. He proudly served with the 94th Infantry Division as an infantry soldier as they marched through France, Germany and Czechoslovakia. For his valor on the battlefield, he was awarded the Bronze Star.
After the war, Jim was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany with the Allied Forces. It was there that he met and married the love of his life, Herta Hildegard Danz Bates, May 16, 1948 in Frankfurt, Germany and began a military career that took them over the globe, including a tour in the Korean War.
Jim joined the Air Force and served out his military career of over 20 years. Jim was promoted to Chief Master Sergent June 1, 1960, being among the first group in the Air Force to receive the new rank which he served proudly until his retirement.
Upon his retirement in 1964, Jim began his new career in the Civil Service as a logistics manager for the next 20 years. It was during this time, Jim completed his education by obtaining a Masters Degree in Management from University of Arkansas.
After his "second" retirement, Jim entered into business with Ken Smith, operating a service station business.
Jim is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Herta Hildegard Danz Bates and his 8 brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his son, Ronald J. Bates and wife, Sally, of San Antonio; granddaughter, Samantha Elizabeth Bates of Dallas and grandson, Jay Bates of Austin and his many friends.
To his weekly poker "buddies" at the Inn at Los Patios, Jim says "I fold".
Five days after graduation from Snyder High School, Jim joined the Army. In Aug 1944 the 18 year old son of a farmer was aboard the troop ship, the Queen Elizabeth, and sailed off to the United Kingdom and into World War II, going through France, Germany and ending the war in Czechoslovakia. He proudly served with the 94th Infantry Division as an infantry soldier as they marched through France, Germany and Czechoslovakia. For his valor on the battlefield, he was awarded the Bronze Star.
After the war, Jim was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany with the Allied Forces. It was there that he met and married the love of his life, Herta Hildegard Danz Bates, May 16, 1948 in Frankfurt, Germany and began a military career that took them over the globe, including a tour in the Korean War.
Jim joined the Air Force and served out his military career of over 20 years. Jim was promoted to Chief Master Sergent June 1, 1960, being among the first group in the Air Force to receive the new rank which he served proudly until his retirement.
Upon his retirement in 1964, Jim began his new career in the Civil Service as a logistics manager for the next 20 years. It was during this time, Jim completed his education by obtaining a Masters Degree in Management from University of Arkansas.
After his "second" retirement, Jim entered into business with Ken Smith, operating a service station business.
Jim is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Herta Hildegard Danz Bates and his 8 brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his son, Ronald J. Bates and wife, Sally, of San Antonio; granddaughter, Samantha Elizabeth Bates of Dallas and grandson, Jay Bates of Austin and his many friends.
To his weekly poker "buddies" at the Inn at Los Patios, Jim says "I fold".
William Johnson "Jim" Bates, CMSGT, USAF (ret), passed away to be with his Lord on April 2, 2009 at the age of 83. Born December 10, 1925 in Snyder, Texas, he was the 8th child of 9 born to Joseph Nevlin Bates and Nellie Gill Bates.
Five days after graduation from Snyder High School, Jim joined the Army. In Aug 1944 the 18 year old son of a farmer was aboard the troop ship, the Queen Elizabeth, and sailed off to the United Kingdom and into World War II, going through France, Germany and ending the war in Czechoslovakia. He proudly served with the 94th Infantry Division as an infantry soldier as they marched through France, Germany and Czechoslovakia. For his valor on the battlefield, he was awarded the Bronze Star.
After the war, Jim was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany with the Allied Forces. It was there that he met and married the love of his life, Herta Hildegard Danz Bates, May 16, 1948 in Frankfurt, Germany and began a military career that took them over the globe, including a tour in the Korean War.
Jim joined the Air Force and served out his military career of over 20 years. Jim was promoted to Chief Master Sergent June 1, 1960, being among the first group in the Air Force to receive the new rank which he served proudly until his retirement.
Upon his retirement in 1964, Jim began his new career in the Civil Service as a logistics manager for the next 20 years. It was during this time, Jim completed his education by obtaining a Masters Degree in Management from University of Arkansas.
After his "second" retirement, Jim entered into business with Ken Smith, operating a service station business.
Jim is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Herta Hildegard Danz Bates and his 8 brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his son, Ronald J. Bates and wife, Sally, of San Antonio; granddaughter, Samantha Elizabeth Bates of Dallas and grandson, Jay Bates of Austin and his many friends.
To his weekly poker "buddies" at the Inn at Los Patios, Jim says "I fold".
Five days after graduation from Snyder High School, Jim joined the Army. In Aug 1944 the 18 year old son of a farmer was aboard the troop ship, the Queen Elizabeth, and sailed off to the United Kingdom and into World War II, going through France, Germany and ending the war in Czechoslovakia. He proudly served with the 94th Infantry Division as an infantry soldier as they marched through France, Germany and Czechoslovakia. For his valor on the battlefield, he was awarded the Bronze Star.
After the war, Jim was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany with the Allied Forces. It was there that he met and married the love of his life, Herta Hildegard Danz Bates, May 16, 1948 in Frankfurt, Germany and began a military career that took them over the globe, including a tour in the Korean War.
Jim joined the Air Force and served out his military career of over 20 years. Jim was promoted to Chief Master Sergent June 1, 1960, being among the first group in the Air Force to receive the new rank which he served proudly until his retirement.
Upon his retirement in 1964, Jim began his new career in the Civil Service as a logistics manager for the next 20 years. It was during this time, Jim completed his education by obtaining a Masters Degree in Management from University of Arkansas.
After his "second" retirement, Jim entered into business with Ken Smith, operating a service station business.
Jim is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Herta Hildegard Danz Bates and his 8 brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his son, Ronald J. Bates and wife, Sally, of San Antonio; granddaughter, Samantha Elizabeth Bates of Dallas and grandson, Jay Bates of Austin and his many friends.
To his weekly poker "buddies" at the Inn at Los Patios, Jim says "I fold".
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CMSgt, US Air Force, Korea, Vietnam
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