Our precious & beloved Dad, Bill J. Cates, born June 13, 1930 (88) went Home to be with Jesus in the early morning of March 30th, 2019; where he was reunited with his wife Elizabeth. The Lord was so gracious to Dad, blessing him with an easy Home Going. Bill had a very full and blessed life. He was born to Robert (Bob) and Josephine Dockal Cates in the summer of 1930. He was the second born following his brother Bobby Cates. They enjoyed a very close brotherhood along with Bobbys wife, Smitty who was a sister to Bill. The boys grew up in Duncan, OK with many friends and activities. Bill had a love for sport. He excelled in football through college until a knee injury interfered with his talent. Along with football he benefited from another passion known as the game of Pool. He particularly excelled at Snooker. Bill loved to play. He reveled with pleasure from his uncanny ability to accumulate significant earnings from his unwary competitors. He loved the game and the outcome. He also earned his means by caddying for his father on the local golf course. This is when he learned, practiced, played and fell in love with the game of golf. He played golf all his life and played well as attested by a couple of sons in law who learned the "agony of defeat." Golf was played often, in fun & admiration and with a competitive spirit. After graduating high school in 1949, Bill worked 2 years as a multi-spindle operator and a drill press operator for Haliburton Cement Company. In 1951 he left the company, traveling to Goodwell OK to attend Panhandle Agricultural and Mechanical College (PAMC) to study Business Administration. After his studies Bill chose to follow in his brothers footsteps honorably serving in the Army of the United States. He served in the Army two full years from 1951 1953, active duty. His duty assignment was Field Artillery Intelligence Chief with the responsibility of directing fire. From Fort Hood Bill served in Korea during the Korean War in the First Calvary Division as Corporal of the United States Army in combat service. His unit was awarded for gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions, known as Combat Heroism. After Bills Honorable Discharge he immediately served in the Armed Forces of the United States Reserve Corps until his Honorable Discharge in 1958. Upon discharge from the Army (1953) Bill met and married Carol Wilkinson, August 1953 in Gainesville, TX. They began their family and had 3 children, daughter Vicki Geving, eldest son Billy John Cates and son Chris Michaels. Bill worked hard supporting his family. He started an insurance company and later moved back to Oklahoma. After returning home to Oklahoma, Bill met and fell in love with Elizabeth Lindsey. Elizabeth had 3 children from a previous marriage but that did not dissuade Bill Cates from pursuing his love. Her children are daughter Keitha Robinson, daughter Kevyn Steffensen and one son Calvin Adair. Bill married Elizabeth and set up their happy home in Duncan. He worked for the Mobil Oil Corporation as Senior Production Supervisor. He also served as Sunday School Superintendent at the First Assembly of God Church. They were active at home and in their church working with the young married couples. After retirement, Bill moved with his wife to Munford, TN and built her a lovely home on some acreage. They enjoyed many, many friends and family as this was Elizabeths home town. They started Forever Young for seniors in their home church, traveling many states and going on adventures fellowshipping together. Bill enjoyed his retirement, playing lots of golf, visiting friends and keeping a beautiful yard. He and Elizabeth were faithful members of Munford Assembly of God. Life was full and happy. In 2011, Bill & Elizabeth moved to Yukon, OK to be near their children and grandchildren. They attended Discovery Assembly of God Church. They spent their elder youth loving each other and others. Bill loved the Lord Jesus Christ and he love his wife who left his side in 2014 to be with Jesus. He missed her so, but he was strong and brave, depending on Jesus. He lived in his own home until 2016 at which time he decided to move to St. Katharine Drexel in El Reno, where he enjoyed many friends. Several of the lovely ladies thought he was so handsome and would tell him so. He would simply smile and say, "I only have one sweetheart and shes waiting for me in Heaven." He made it his priority to minister to the lonely and hurting and his mission to lead them to Jesus. Bill was blessed to be cared for by a now dear friend, Edward (Bo) Waide who was faithfully by his side for almost 3 years. They became trusted friends! As a family, we could not have had a more suited, more trusted, more loved companion for our Dad than our beloved Bo. All of Dads children and family thank you, Bo, for your love and devotion. The Lord has blessed Bill and been so faithful. He was doubly blessed in his life and in his Home Going. He is now with Jesus Christ and reunited with Elizabeth whom he longed to see. Bill is survived by his beloved children, daughter Vicki Geving and husband Michael, son Billy John Cates and wife Brenda, son Chris Michaels and spouse Aubrey Williams, daughter Keitha Robinson and husband Vic, daughter Kevyn Steffensen and husband Eddie, and son Calvin Adair. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom he loved and lifted to the Lord in prayer. He is survived by one brother in law, Glenn Lindsey. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Josephine Cates, brother Bobby Cates and his beloved wife Elizabeth Cates. Visitation will be held Wednesday April 03, 2019 from 9-9 with the family receiving friends from 6-8 at Mercer-Adams. Funeral Services will be Thursday April 04, 2019 at 2:00pm @ Mercer-Adams in Bethany Oklahoma. Interment will follow in Yukon Cemetery. Praise God and Thank You for Celebrating his life with us. Visitation with Family Present Mercer-Adams Funeral Service Wednesday, April 03, 2019 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 3925 North Asbury Avenue Bethany, Oklahoma 73008 Funeral Service Mercer-Adams Chapel Thursday, April 04, 2019 2:00 PM 3925 N. Asbury Bethany, OK 73008