WILLIAM J. BATES, age 70, of Twinsburg passed away at his daughters home in Colorado on May 31, 2006. Beloved husband of 49 years to Mary Ann Bates (nee Dahmen); loving father of Christina "Tina" M. Thoennes- Draves (husband Rodney), of Racine, WI., Marianne "Mitzi" T. Black (husband Paul) of Black Forest, CO., Constance "Connie" J. McGhee (husband Charles), Patrick H. Bates (Linda Webb), Mark A. Bates, and Michelle J. James (husband Keith). Loving grandfather of twenty and great grandfather of four. Dear brother of James Bates (Wife Joyce) of Racine, WI. Preceeded in death by his parents Theodore Elmer & Hazel (nee Sturdivant), brothers Eugene and Edward and his son-in-law Leo Thoennes. Mr. Bates a retired accountant for General Electric, was a 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. He held a Bachelors Degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He was an Army Veteran who enjoyed golf, cards and baseball. The family will receive friends WEDNESDAY JUNE 7 FROM 4-8 PM AT THE BLESSING FUNERAL HOME AT CROWN HILL, 8592 DARROW ROAD, TWINSBURG, OH (1/2 MI. SO. OF I-480/RT. 91 EXIT). Mass of Christian Burial Thursday June 8 at 11:00 AM at SS. Cosmas and Damian Church, 10419 Ravenna Rd., Twinsburg. Friends and family please meet at the church. Interment Ohio Western Reserve Cemetery, Rittman, OH.