Wilson Lafayette Coats, son of William and Rebecca Coats, was born in Texas County, Missouri, November 13, 1863, and departed this life at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ervey Bridges, near Raymondville, Mo., April 19, 1945; age 81 years, 5 months and 6 days. He was married to Miss Mary A. Burch November 27, 1890, and to this union nine children were born; the two eldest are deceased, William Carl died at the age of four, and the other infant dying at birth. The other seven are Wilson, of Clara, Mo.; Willard and Wilford, of St. Louis; Martha Troutman, of Kansas City, Mo.; Dorothy Shelton, of Houston, Mo.; Orpha Bridges, of Raymondville, Mo., and Pansy Rippe, of St. Louis, Mo. He, with his family, resided in Texas County on his farm near Clara, Mo., the greater part of his life. Almost a year and a half ago he and Mrs. Coats went to St. Louis to live with their son, Wilford. He professed faith in Christ in early manhood and joined the Union Baptist church near his home and remained a member of this church to death. He had been sick since November, 1944, and has borne his illness with patience; all was done that loving hands could do for him to restore him to health, but it was God's will to take him unto Himself. Besides the seven children, he leaves to mourn his going his life-long companion, who has traveled life's journey by his side 54 years; sixteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren; two brothers, William Henry Coats, of Texas, and Dr. J. M. Coats, of Cabool, Mo., and a host of other relatives and friends. He gave his family every loving devotion and will be sadly missed by the loved ones and friends. Funeral services were conducted Sunday, April 22, at the First Baptist church by the Rev. J. R. Halbrook. Music services by the church choir with Mrs. Rhesa Wall as pianist. Burial is in the Houston cemetery under the direction of the Elliott Funeral Home, of Houston, Mo.