Kenneth L. Bates

Kenneth L. Bates Sr., 69, of Rutland, passed away peacefully April 6, 2017, with his family by his side, after a long illness.
He was born in Proctor on June 14, 1947, the youngest son of George Ira Bates and Marie (Avery) Bates.
Ken was a graduate of St. Peter Elementary School, Rutland Junior High School and Rutland High School class of 1966.
He was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran of the Vietnam War serving in Iwo Jima, Japan, and Cape Canaveral, Florida.
On Aug. 18, 2007, he married Katharine (Heiner) Bates.
After his military career, he was employed by Agway Petroleum as a driver and heating technician and with the U.S. Post Office for many years, retiring in 2003.
Surviving are his wife, Katharine, of Rutland; his former wife, Alice Bates, of Rutland; one daughter, Michelle Bates Hazzard, of Folkston, GA, and one son, Kenneth L. Bates Jr., of Rutland; his grandchildren, Heather, Zachary and Samantha; two brothers, George Bates and Dean Bates, and a sister, Dolores Rodrique; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Robert Bates and Ronald Bates, and sisters, Madeline Bates, Shirley Disorda and Barbara Dalto.
He enjoyed sports, golf, the Eagles Club, American Legion and Cairo Shriners International.
Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, April 11, 2017, from 4 to 6 p.m. followed by a prayer service with the Rev. Richard Tinney at 6 p.m. at Clifford Funeral Home in Rutland.
Burial will be held in Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center at a later date.
Contributions may be made to Wounded Warriers or to Shriners Children's Hospital , C/O Clifford Funeral Home, 2 Washington St., Rutland, VT 05701.