Smsgt. John William "Jack" Bates, Sr., Usaf (Ret.)

John William “Jack “ Bates, 75, of Warner Robins, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, September 5, 2018.

Jack was born on November 28, 1942 in Buffalo, New York to the late Emmett and Lillian Bates. He married Felicia Reilly in 1963 and they had two sons, John, Jr. and Jeff. For over 25 years, Jack proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and he traveled the world until 1987 when he retired with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He retired from Civil Service at Robins Air Force Base, as well.

For the last 30 years, Jack was known as “Papaw.” He loved his family dearly, especially his grandkids. After they were born, he was known to break out his wallet anywhere, anytime to strangers and friends alike to show off his grandbabies.

Jack’s favorite hobbies were golf and woodworking. Most Saturdays you could find him either on the golf course or in his woodworking shop. He also enjoyed playing the piano and sewing. He was a jack of all trades and master of most anything he tried.

In addition to his parents, Jack was also preceded in death by his parents-in-law Catherine and Leo Reilly; brothers-in-law, Skipper Reilly, George Brown and Mike Holmes; and sisters-in-law, Becky Brown, Patricia Holmes and Beth Mitchell.

He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Felicia Reilly Bates, whom he sacrificially cared for in the last years of his life; two sons, John Bates (Lisa) and Jeff Bates, (Junita); five grandchildren, Johnny Bates (Morgan), Jacqueline Black (Daniel), Heather Bates, Mickey Bates (Jerlyn) and Jessi Bates (Ryan); four great-grandchildren, Chris, Trenton, Jaycee-Jo and Arabella; sister, Joan Bloodworth (Don) and brother, James; brother-in-law, David Mitchell and special sister-in-law, Kathey Mitchell; nieces, Michelle Holmes, Leah Bloodworth, Shannon Meyer (John) and Katie Mitchell; nephews, Mike Holmes (Linda), Chuck Homes (Shelly), Brian Brown (Alexa), Joey Brown, Reilly Mitchell (Denise), Andrew Mitchell, Donny Bloodworth and Scott Bloodworth; as well as several great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Sunday, September 9, 2018, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. Jack will be laid to rest in Andersonville National Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 10, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the National Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with Mr. Bates’s arrangements.