W. Stan Bates

Walter “Stan” Bates passed from his life on earth on Saturday March 18, 2023, with his family by his side.

Walter Stanley “Stan” Bates was born May 28, 1945 in Lewiston, Idaho to Walter Southworth Bates and Stella Isabel Paisley.  His early years were spent on a farm in Pomeroy, Washington.  In 1948 he moved with his parents and 2 sisters to the Rathdrum Prairie (Idaho).  The Bates family expanded further with another sister and two brothers.

He graduated from Lakeland High School in Rathdrum, Idaho in 1963.  In high school he was active in sports, playing both football and basketball.  On August 7, 1965 he married Carol Masterson of Rathdrum, Idaho.  They were soon to celebrate 58 years of marriage.

He entered into the Army in 1965 and served in Vietnam.  After returning home he worked as a logger, truck driver and spent 28 years as a fire sprinkler fitter, retiring in 2001.  Never a person to sit idle and definitely not the “retiring” type, Stan returned to his favorite job, driving truck, until his physical ailments forced retirement.  According to his two sons, the only hobby they can remember was cutting firewood, splitting firewood and stacking firewood.  They figured that he was just being neighborly and was storing enough firewood to heat every house up Mill Creek if everyone else ran out.   Although working was a top priority, his hobbies included cars, riding motorcycles and atv’s, snowmobiling, golfing, watching sports, helping out at hunting camp, and watching his grandkid’s extracurricular activities. 

Stan and Carol had son’s Corey in April of 1970 and Curt in March of 1974.  They moved from St Maries, ID to Lolo (Creek), MT in 1980 and other than a brief stint in Arizona attempting “retirement”, they have resided in the Missoula area.  Soon after arriving in Lolo, Stan and Carol became active members of Lolo Community Church where they met many lifelong friends.

Stan was preceded in death by his father, Walter and mother, Stella.

Survived by his wife Carol Bates, sons Corey Bates and Curt (Carrie) Bates, grandchildren Kyler, KesLynn, Kirklan, Isaac, Lola and Averie. along with sisters Pat (Dave) Bragg, Carole (Steve) Monlux, Louise Bates and brothers Rick Bates and Randy Bates.

There will be a funeral service at Lolo Community Church at 11am on Saturday March 25, 2023 followed by a reception.  Internment will be Monday March 27, 2023 at 10:30am at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Missoula.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Rocky Mountain Bible Mission

1515 Fairview Ave #200

Missoula, MT 59801