William Herbert Gates, Sr.

William Herbert Gates, Sr., age 101, of Jasper, AL passed away May 4, 2023 at his residence. Funeral services were 11:00 am Monday, May 8, 2023 at Spring Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. John P. Gates officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was one hour prior to the services at the church.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 77 years, Doris Finkley Gates; his parents, John Pinkney Gates and Mary Nelson Gates; sister, Sallie Mae Taylor; five brothers, Charlie, Leroy, Oscar, Raymond and Olen Gates and great-granddaughter, Aubrey Lea Gates.

Survivors include his sons, William Herbert Gates, Jr. and wife, Vicki of Charleston, SC and John Philip Gates and wife, Julie of Jasper, AL; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Gates Jones (Josh), Adam Michael Gates, Joshua Philip Gates (Talia), Jacob Paul Gates (Lauren), Jeffrey Thomas Gates (Nicole), Justin David Gates and Jonathan Edwards Gates (Rachel); ten great-grandchildren Joshua Knox Jones, Harrison Gates Jones, Olivia Christin Jones, Sands Whitfield “Whit” Jones, Jacob Elijah “Eli” Gates, Kye Philip Gates, Ezekiel Robert “Zeke” Gates, Zane Randall Gates, Mack William Gates and Ann- Marie Gates; sister, Betty Ashcraft (Charles); nieces, Rubye Bain, Evon Gates Holland (Dover), Cathy Colvin (Hubert) and Dottie Higdem and nephews, Gerald Gates and David Ashcraft (Kimberly).

Herbert was born in Springhill, Alabama to John Pickney Gates and Mary Nelson Gates. He grew up on a farm. He was saved at a revival held at Spring Hill Baptist Church when a youth and was baptized in Coal Fire Creek. He graduated from Carrollton High School in 1940 and was drafted in the Army in July 1942. He was assigned to the Army Air Corps and was later transferred into the U.S. Army Infantry. He saw combat action in Germany during World War II and then later in the Korean War. Soon after the World War II ended he married his sweetheart, Doris Finkley, in 1945. His stops along the way included Army forts in Georgia, Alabama, and France. Two sons were born while serving at Fort Benning, GA, and Doris, Bill, and John accompanied him on his tour of duty in Verdun, France.

He finished his 20 years of distinguished military service at Fort McClellan, in Anniston, in 1962. He and Doris were members of Gladeview Baptist Church. He later retired from Civil Service and lived in Anniston until relocating to Jasper, AL in 2003. He and Doris were members of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Curry, AL.

Pallbearers were Adam Gates, Jeffrey Gates, Joshua Gates, Jacob Gates, Justin Gates, Jonathan Gates, Joshua Jones, and David Ashcraft.

Special thanks to Comfort Care Hospice (Aveanna): Tywanna, Robbie, Denise; Chris; Tom, and Melody and special thanks to his sitters: Bonita Trotter, Kathy Booth, Angie Weems, Jennifer Key, Amy Pace, Karen Aldridge, Annette Lawson, Deanna Davis, Sharon Clark, Priscilla Freeman and Con- nie Mauldin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Aubrey Lea Gates Memorial Fund with the Walker Area Community Foundation, or the Mount Vernon Baptist Church Construction Mission Team