Mr. Willie J. Bates of Tuscaloosa, formerly of Newbern, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Druid City Hospital in Tuscaloosa.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 2 p.m. at the Reynolds Chapel Church in Hale County, with the Rev. Roger Melton officiating. Burial will follow in the Bates family cemetery. The body will lie in state from 1 p.m. to the time of the service. A public viewing will be held on Friday, Jan. 30, from noon to 6 p.m. Agnew Funeral Home of Greesnboro is directing the services.