Obituaries
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William “Bill” Coates, 84 of Pittsburg, KS died at 7:00am, Friday, June 18,
2010 at His home following a long illness.
He was born November 3, 1925 in Mulberry, KS the son of Earl and
Mabel (Carlson) Coates.
On March 8, 1975 he was united in marriage to Geraldine (Fisher)
Portwood in Gross, KS; she survives him of the home.
For over 25 years Bill worked in Construction and was a member of the
Construction and Industrial Labor Union.
He was a Deacon & Original Board Member of Lighthouse Tabernacle
starting in their home. Many children from his church named him the
“Candy Man” because he always brought candy for them to church.
For many years Bill operated his bike shop in his own garage and later
moved his bike’s to Bill and Lee’s Bike Shop on Joplin Street. Bill spent
three to four hours a day in his dimly lit workshop repairing everything
from 20 inch racers to 10 speed touring bikes.
In 2006, Bill was deemed a Miracle man that was diagnosed with
Polyglycosamine disorder which caused him to have paralysis. He
defeated all odds with aggressive therapy in which he regained strength
in all of his arms and legs and was able to walk again.
Bill is known for his avid enthusiasm for the Kansas City Chiefs and the
Kansas City Royals. On many occasions he was known to have game
day celebrations with football and food.
He was a daily listener of KKOW.
Bill loved his wife Geraldine of 35 years and also loved to spend time with
his grandchildren. Birthdays were one thing he always remembered.
People knew Bill for his sharp mind remembering many historical events
and his keen sense of working with numbers. Bill loved gardening. He
took pride in his tomato plants.
Additional survivors include two sons: Brian and Loren Coates and a
step-son Jerry Portwood all of Mulberry, one daughter: Janet Ingle of
Olathe, KS, and 4 step-daughters: Carolyn Garrett of Neodesha, Patty
Matson of Pittsburg, Rose Douglas and Mary Jones both of Mulberry; two
brothers: Junior Coates of Mulberry and Ernest Coates of Shreveport,
LA; two sisters: Shirley Prettyman of Kansas City, MO and Rosalie Taylor
of Seneca, MO, 14 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and several
nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter Judy Dawson.
Funeral services will be 10 am, Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at the
Lighthouse Tabernacle Church with Rev. Daryl Gaddy officiating, Burial
will follow in the Rosebank Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the
Bath-Naylor Funeral Home from 6-8 pm Monday evening. Condolences
may be left at www.bathnaylor.com . Memorials may be made to the
Lighthouse Tabernacle Building Fund; these may be left at or mailed to
the funeral home. Arrangements and services are under the direction of
Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S Broadway, Pittsburg, KS.
2010 at His home following a long illness.
He was born November 3, 1925 in Mulberry, KS the son of Earl and
Mabel (Carlson) Coates.
On March 8, 1975 he was united in marriage to Geraldine (Fisher)
Portwood in Gross, KS; she survives him of the home.
For over 25 years Bill worked in Construction and was a member of the
Construction and Industrial Labor Union.
He was a Deacon & Original Board Member of Lighthouse Tabernacle
starting in their home. Many children from his church named him the
“Candy Man” because he always brought candy for them to church.
For many years Bill operated his bike shop in his own garage and later
moved his bike’s to Bill and Lee’s Bike Shop on Joplin Street. Bill spent
three to four hours a day in his dimly lit workshop repairing everything
from 20 inch racers to 10 speed touring bikes.
In 2006, Bill was deemed a Miracle man that was diagnosed with
Polyglycosamine disorder which caused him to have paralysis. He
defeated all odds with aggressive therapy in which he regained strength
in all of his arms and legs and was able to walk again.
Bill is known for his avid enthusiasm for the Kansas City Chiefs and the
Kansas City Royals. On many occasions he was known to have game
day celebrations with football and food.
He was a daily listener of KKOW.
Bill loved his wife Geraldine of 35 years and also loved to spend time with
his grandchildren. Birthdays were one thing he always remembered.
People knew Bill for his sharp mind remembering many historical events
and his keen sense of working with numbers. Bill loved gardening. He
took pride in his tomato plants.
Additional survivors include two sons: Brian and Loren Coates and a
step-son Jerry Portwood all of Mulberry, one daughter: Janet Ingle of
Olathe, KS, and 4 step-daughters: Carolyn Garrett of Neodesha, Patty
Matson of Pittsburg, Rose Douglas and Mary Jones both of Mulberry; two
brothers: Junior Coates of Mulberry and Ernest Coates of Shreveport,
LA; two sisters: Shirley Prettyman of Kansas City, MO and Rosalie Taylor
of Seneca, MO, 14 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and several
nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter Judy Dawson.
Funeral services will be 10 am, Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at the
Lighthouse Tabernacle Church with Rev. Daryl Gaddy officiating, Burial
will follow in the Rosebank Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the
Bath-Naylor Funeral Home from 6-8 pm Monday evening. Condolences
may be left at www.bathnaylor.com . Memorials may be made to the
Lighthouse Tabernacle Building Fund; these may be left at or mailed to
the funeral home. Arrangements and services are under the direction of
Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S Broadway, Pittsburg, KS.
© Bath-Naylor Inc. 2010