William 'Bill' Yates, 55, Big Rock, died Saturday, January 30, 2010, at Vanderbilt Medical Center. The funeral will be held at 11:00 am Thursday at Anglin Funeral Home with Bro. David Whitehead and Bro. George Yates officiating. Burial will be in Smith Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm Wednesday at Anglin Funeral Home at Anglin Funeral Home.
Anglin Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. He was born August 16, 1954 in Louisville, KY son of Maurice and Pearl Blackford Yates Pedigo. Mr. Yates was an aircraft mechanic supervisor for Computer Sciences Corp, Ft. Campbell, KY, U.S. Army veteran and a member of Big Rock Baptist Church. A man of faith he loved serving in and with the U.S. military. Bill wholeheartedly believed in serving God and country and protecting the freedoms we enjoy and the faith of our fathers. He was adventurous and he loved sports. He ran track and cross country, played basketball and football. After high school he drove stock cars and later joined the Army where he played football. Of all his activities Bill was an avid outdoorsman. He loved being in the woods or on the lake, hunting, fishing, and sharing his admiration of God's creation with others. To Bill there was no place on earth like being out in the middle of God's natural design. Most of all Bill loved family and friends. There was nothing more dear to Bill than his wife and children. He would forego and sacrifice everything for his family. He loved being around friends and making everyone feel welcome in his presence. All who know Bill remember him for his humor. His affection for people poured out through his wit and teasing. One of Bill's final facebook posts revealed the creed he lived by, "Laugh and make someone laugh everyday. He is preceded in death by his father. Survivors include his mother and step father, Bill and Pearl Pedigo, Louisville, KY, wife, Kathy Slone Yates; son, Mike Coy and finance, Joy Parker, Big Rock, Travis Yates and Brandie, Floyds Knobs, IN; daughter, Nikki Yates, Big Rock; brothers, George Yates and Pam, Springfield, KY, Jesse Yates, Palatka, FL, Jim Yates, Louisville, KY; sister, Kathy Gittings and Elmer, Vine Grove, KY; grandchildren, Hunter Coy, Kortney Coy, Trey Yates, Brianna Yates and Allison and Miranda Parker. Pallbearers will be Warren, Charles and Glen Blackford, Steve Shaw, Jeff and Ryan Feltner and Mitchell and Daniel Howell. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Big Rock Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Rick Joiner, 206 Joiner Hollow Rd, Big Rock, TN 37023.

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