James V. “Vestle” Bates, age 94 years, of Temperance, MI passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2024 in Hampton Manor of Bedford in Lambertville. The son of Walter and Minnie (Gibbs) Bates, he was born March 3, 1930 in Atlanta, GA. He had worked for Owens-Illinois for over 20 years. He married Patricia A. Etheridge on May 9, 1950 in Atlanta, preceding him in death in 2003.
Vestle was an avid golfer, sinking 2 holes in one, and he had also coached baseball and softball for several years.
He is survived by his loving sons, James (Brenda) Bates, Jr., William (Karen) Bates; daughter-in-law, Robin Bates; sister, Margaret; grandchildren, Aundrea (Kevin) Armstrong, William Jr. (Kristina) Bates, Melanie (Gustavo) Bates-Zampieri, Jared (Stephen) Bates and Suzanne Bates; great-grandchildren, Abigail (Jacob) Schneider, Katelyn Armstrong, Lucas (Aki) Common, Kaden Common, Kylie Common, Briar Rayfield Bates, Jakub Bates, Arianna Bates; and great-great-grandchildren, Daniel and Hannah due in September.
He was also preceded in death by a son, David; a sister, Wynell and a brother, Wyndell.
Visitation will be Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Urbanski’s Bedford Funeral Chapel 8300 Lewis Ave. Temperance, MI where the funeral service will be held Friday, August 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Whiteford Union Cemetery.
Online condolences may be shared at www.bedfordfuneralchapel.com .