West Bridgewater- Edward “Reid” Bates 89 died Sunday June 21 after a period of failing health. He was the beloved husband of Beverly L. (Jones) Bates and the late Helen (Leach) Bates.
Born and raised in Whitman he was the son of the late Edward K. and Beatrice M. (Reid) Bates and a graduate of Whitman High School Class of 1937.
Ed was a World War II Veteran having served in the 813th Signal Service Company, of the US Army Infantry, in Italy and Africa from 1943 to 1946.
Always a hard worker he owned several business, including a distribution service for Keebler cookies. He retired from his marketing career as an insurance salesman for John Hancock Insurance.
He was a resident of North Dighton, before moving to West Bridgewater, four years ago, where he had been an active member of the West Bridgewater Baptist Church for more than 20 years. He had enjoyed wintering in Brooksville, Florida.
As a family, he led them on many camping adventures, and after his retirement he loved traveling through out the country in his RV. He spent many enjoyable hours walking the beach with his metal detector and discovering many “treasures”. He loved playing the organ for family and friends.
In addition to his wife he is survived by his five children Edward K. Bates and his wife Kathy of Delaware, Kenneth R. Bates and his wife Mary of Haverhill, Linda Gavin and her husband Larry of Colorado, Paula B. Smith and her husband Dale of S. Carolina, and Marcia J. Allen and her husband Jim of Barre, his step-children Marcia Audyatis and her husband Tim of Raynham, Cathy Fraser and her husband Rob of Raynham, Pamela McGoodwin of Bridgewater, Kimberly Desley of Raynham, and Brian Garrison of Wareham, his brother Roger Bates of Washington. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, eleven step-grandchildren, six great grandchildren, 19 great step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late O’Dessa Biladeau.
His service will be held Thursday June 25 at 11 AM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel Plymouth Street (Rt. 58 at the rotary) Whitman. Burial will follow in the Colebrook Cemetery, Whitman. Visiting hours will be held Wednesday June 24 from 5-8 PM. Donations in his name may be made to Old Colony Hospice, One Credit Union Way Randolph, MA 02368.