WILLIAM CLARENCE GATES

William “Bill, Butch” C. Gates Jr., 77, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2024 in his home surrounded by his loved ones.

Bill was born November 18, 1946 to Ida Mae Smith and William C. Gates Sr. in DeKalb, Illinois.

As a kid he helped his uncle Everette on his dairy farm and also helped deliver milk. As a young teenager he joined the Army where he served in the Vietnam War. Shortly after he was discharged he met the love of his life Carol Ann Carlock, the daughter of Dale and Ruth Carlock. They were married on June 22, 1968 at Congregational Church in West Chicago.

They together raised three strong willed and strong minded Gates kids: Sherry Maldonado of DeKalb, Billy Gates, and Tracie (Lito) Veliz, of Aurora Illinois.

Bill worked over 35 years prior to his retirement as a forklift operator at Swift in the freezer. After his retirement he filled his days taking care of the love of his life and his loving mother-in-law or as he called her mom in law.

His life was blessed with nine grandkids; TJ, Brittani (Shelby), Destani (AJ), Gaby (Tavo), Mark (Sam), Jasmine (Brandon), Teah, Tori, and Taylor. Bill was also further blessed with nine great grandkids; Maci, Noelle, Rory, DeAnna, Kinzlee, Marky, Grace, Tobi, and Grayson.

Bill was survived by his two daughters Sherry and Tracie (Lito Veliz); his grand and great grandkids; his sisters Lois, Charlotte, Shirley, Mary (Dave Walker), Dawn (Jerry Potts), Linda (Keith Elliott); his brothers Charles (Sue) Gates, George Gates, Billy Joe (Megan) Gates.

 Bill was preceded in death by his wife Carol Gates; his son Billy Gates; his granddaughter Teah Gates; his parents; his brothers Rusty, Ricky, Tony, Brad; his sister Laura;  his in-laws Dale (Ruth) Carlock; his brother-in-law Mike Casey; his sister-in-law Teresa Casey; his nieces Heather Porter and Gigi; his nephews Brock, Aaron and Dustin and many more.

The Funeral Service will be held at 1pm Friday, March 29, 2024, at Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb, with Rev. Greg Davis of United Pentecostal Church of DeKalb officiating. Burial will follow at Ohio Grove Cemetery in Sycamore, with Full Military Honors by the Sycamore American Legion.

Visitation will be from 11am until the time of services at 1pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Gates Family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.

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