William L. Bates, 63, of Grover Hill, died at 4 p.m., Friday from injuries received in a vehicle accident on State Route 114, in Paulding County.

He was born on July 15, 1952, in Adams County, Indiana, the son of the late Glen E. and Annis K. (Marbaugh) Bates. On November 17, 2001, he married the former Rhonda Miller who survives.

Other family members include his four children, Brandon L. (Alicia) Bates of Adams County, IN, Brenden. (Marci) Bates of Willshire, Jessica L. Bates of Fort Wayne, IN, and Joshua A. (Kimberly) Bates of Van Wert; a sister, Donna Jean Williamson of Willshire; twelve grandchildren, Sean Mendez, Halle Beougher, Hunter Bates, Bailey Bates, Parker Bates, Bo Bates, Kaiden Bates, Devin Hairston, Aliviah Bates, Ben Bates, Mya Hairston, and Owen Bates; his father & mother-in-law, Lonnie and Sue Miller of Grover Hill; two brothers-in-law, Tim (Jackie) Miller of Fort Jennings, and Tony (Staci) Miller of Grover Hill; and a sister-in-law, Nancy (Wade) Carnes of Celina.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Donald E. Bates.

Bill was a 1970 graduate of Parkway High School. He retired from Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne and trained harness horses.

He was a member of the Van Wert County Harness Horsemen's Association, the Mercer County Harness Horsemen's Association, and the United States Trotting Association. He had been a member of the U.S. Army Reserve.

Bill enjoyed the outdoors, but his family was his life - especially sharing sporting events with his grandchildren.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 29, 2016, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Rev. Rex Roth officiating. Interment will follow at Middle Creek Cemetery near Grover Hill.

Calling hours are Thursday 1-8 p.m., and one hour prior to the services Friday.

Preferred memorials are to the Willshire Youth Activities.