William F. Gates, Sr.

William F. Gates, Sr., 92, of Merriam, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at Trinity Nursing and Rehab.

Bill was born November 29, 1919, to the late William and Mary Gates inKansas City, Kansas. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served as the Helmsman for the USS La Porte in the south Pacific during World War II.

After returning from the service he married Frances L. Casida on November 29, 1945. She preceded him in death after 62 years of marriage in June 2008. Bill retired form the Bendix Corporation in 1985 as a model maker after 35 years of service.

He is survived by his two sons, William Gates, Jr. and wife Catherine and David Gates and wife Carol; his daughter Gail Worden; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, December 16, 2011, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. Graveside service will be 10 a.m., Saturday, December 17, 2011, at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Stanley, Kansas

The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Care Alternatives, 1420 NW Vivion Road, Suite 105, Kansas City, Missouri 64118 or to The Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301.