Billy Wayne Coates

Billy Wayne Coates, 72, born April 21, 1937 in Sullivan County, Tennessee, of 36 Strauther Drive, Roanoke Rapids, N. C. , to the late Isaac Coates and Blanche Rutledge Coates, died Thursday, March 18, at his home.

Billys family moved to Weldon, N. C. in late 1937. Billy, his wife and daughter moved to Roanoke Rapids in 1967. He was a member of the Weldon Pentecostal Holiness Church for many years and served as deacon, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, usher, board member, and President of Brotherhood. He loved all his duties and the people at the church. For the last year he has been a member of the Roanoke Rapids Church of God and loved each of them also. Billy served in the U. S. Army with Spec. 4 rank in Fort Benning, Georgia, and Korea. He was the best father and husband anyone could ever have and loved by many more. He always put others first especially his Lord. Jesus Christ. Billy loved working in his woodworking shop, garden and yard. Billy is also preceded in death by his sisters, Opal Coates Raynor and her husband, Nelson, Eula Coates Tillery and her husband, Harvey, Ruby Coates Hicks and her husband, Carl, Ilene Coates Tillery and her husband, George, and sister-in-law, Dorothy Carlile Coates, his brother, Ralph Coates and wife Varnell Mayes Coates, and brother-in-law, Jay Maness. He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Myrtle Baugham Coates, daughter, Stephanie Coates Kirby and husband, Tim, of Roanoke Rapids, son, Stephen Wayne Coates, and grandson, Thomas Avery Coates of Morganton, N. C., a very special nephew or oldest boy as he was called, Augustus Pete King of Roanoke Rapids, and by his other boy David Miller and his wife, Debra and their girls, Jessica, Vanessa, Kayla and Sara; his sisters: Lois Coates Clary and husband, Robert, of Roanoke Rapids, Thelma Coates Maness, of Statesville, N. C., brother, Ray Coates, of Roanoke Rapids, brother-in-law, Jimmy Baugham, of Roanoke Rapids, sisters-in-law, Judy Baugham Hendrixon and husband, Dale, of Blacksburg, S. C., Alice Baugham Mizell, of Roanoke Rapids, and many much-loved nieces and hephews. Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 21, 2010, at 2:30 P.M. at the Roanoke Rapids Church of God with Rev. Marvin Wiggins and Rev. Wayne White officiating. Burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service on Saturday, March 20, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Roanoke Rapids Church of God, 1017 Rapids Street, Roanoke Rapids, N. C. 27870. Online condolences can be sent to ww.hockadayfs.com.