BENJAMIN ELBERT BATES, JR.
Benjamin Elbert Bates, Jr. age 84, resident of Bluefield, Virginia died on November 20, 2016.
Son of the late Ben E. Bates, Sr. and Margaret Irene Reynolds Bates, he is survived by wife of 64 years Barbara Morgan Bates, son Kyle L. Bates (wife Kim) of Washington, Illinois, grandchildren Benjamin, Robert, and Megan Joyce, and two sisters Margaret Irene Bates Dalton (husband Leslie) of Belen, New Mexico, and Virginia Elizabeth Bates (husband P.L. Pete Rowlett) of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Graduating from Graham High School and Bluefield College in Bluefield, Virginia Ben earned a degree in business administration from Concord College in Athens, West Virginia. He continued with advanced studies in business from the University of Maryland.
A lifelong member of the Methodist Church, he was loyal to the adult choir, served on and chaired several committees. Ben played violin as a member of the Bluefield West Virginia Symphony Orchestra from 1946 to 1947.
Volunteer community service began at an early age for Ben when he was selected by teachers as a "safety patrol boy" to help school children cross the street safely. Ben was an Eagle Scout with bronze, gold, and silver Palms. He volunteered at Camp Roland helping Boy Scouts with swimming and archery, having excelled in both himself.
Ben was a six year member of the West Virginia National Guard. He volunteered for active duty in the U.S. Army and served as Master Sergeant with the 59th Field Artillery Battalion from 1953-1955 in Germany.
Initially employed part-time by Montgomery Ward Co. in Bluefield, West Virginia, Ben continued working for the giant retail company in Human Resources (Personnel) Management with months of special training in Albany, New York, and Chicago, Illinois. He became District Personnel Manager of Baltimore and the Eastern Regional Territory Manager (Maine to Florida). Ben's training skills with young recruits were exemplary. He retired from Montgomery Ward in 1990.
During retirement, he served on Tazewell County board including AASC, Social Services and Equalization Board, chairing all three. He was past member and president of the local Lion's Club and member of the Graham Historical Society. Traveling continued during his retirement years with wife Barbara and family. Reading books and following his favorite sports teams gave him pleasure.
Ben will be greatly missed by family and friends, and his loyalty to both not forgotten. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Bluefield, Virginia. Friends may visit with family at 10:30 a.m. in the church sanctuary. In Lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church organ funds or mission projects.