William Roessler "Bill" Bates

William Roessler “Bill” Bates, 94, of Spotsylvania passed away on January 1, 2019 at midnight. He will be joining his wife of 68 years, Elizabeth Helmuth “Betty Lou” Bates.

Always a gracious gentleman, Bill and Betty Lou were raised in Swarthmore, Pa., where he married Betty Lou in 1949 and became part of her family of eight brothers and one sister.  They enjoyed wonderful holidays with family and friends and developed many lifelong friends that they kept in touch with for more than 60 years.

Bill graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy in 1944 and served his country in WWII with the Army in the Pacific. He was discharged in 1948 as a SSgt.

Bill joined his father’s company, Bates Chemical in Landsdowne, Pa. and spent several years there until it was sold.

Survivors include his four children, Suzanne Maciulewicz (George) of Fredericksburg, Joseph Bates (Traci) of Hendersonville, N.C., William “Lex” Bates (Irene) of Andover, Mass. and Abigail Bates of Salem, Mass; and granddaughter Jennifer Maciulewicz of Richmond. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Amanda Maciulewicz.

A private service will be held at Valley Forge Memorial Park in King of Prussia, Pa in the spring with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Mary Washington Hospice, 2300 Fall Hill Ave #401, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, who helped give him comfort towards the end of life.