I never knew the meaning of Daddy's girl until you left this world. I feel such a void - you were my cheerleader and believed in me and loved me unconditionally. Thank you Dad for loving me. I hope and pray for your eternal peace. And if there is a heaven, I hope that I will see you and see Susie again. Love, Dubee
William Arthur "Bill" Yates, 86, Father of four, retired Department of Defense employee, farmer and resident of Crestwood Village IV died on August 18, 2012 at Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Born on June 23, 1926, in Wilmington, Delaware to Kenneth Smith and Mary Lavinia Yates, Bill grew up in the town of Titusville, New Jersey, the sixth of seven siblings. He attended Titusville Elementary School, graduated from Pennington Central High School, and received permission to enlist in the Navy before his formal graduation in order to serve his country during World War II. During the war he served on transport escort ships in the Pacific theatre.
After the war he attended Kent State University in Kent, Ohio under the GI Bill and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. Following his college graduation Bill married the former Maria Theresa Nunziato of Matawan, New Jersey; together they raised their four surviving children: Susan, Robert, Ellen and William, on a farm in Nanjemoy, Maryland. Bill had a passion for farming which resulted from his work on the "Yates Home Place" and summer work on his favorite Uncle's farm -- his Uncle George.
Bill's professional life consisted primarily of service for over 30 years as a Budget Analyst for the Department of the Navy, where he worked from the Pentagon in Arlington, VA and offices in Crystal City and Ballston, Virginia.
He was an avid reader, nutritionist, greatly accomplished singer, wonderful dancer and community volunteer. His other hobbies included farming, ping pong, horseshoes, hunting, fishing, swimming, financial management, watching sports on television and 'tinkering.' For the past several years Mr. Yates shared a residence with Mrs. Mary "Mae" Dellner of Whiting, New Jersey and his constant companion, Grizzly the Cat.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers: Kenneth, Lewis, Richard and Theodore. He is survived by his former wife, four children, twin sister Jeanne Marie Bickford, and younger sister Phyllis Elaine Marvin. His energy, voice, dancing acumen, wit and passion for life will be greatly missed.
This memorial website was created by Bill's children who will always remember him fondly.
Tributes
Leave a tributeI never knew the meaning of Daddy's girl until you left this world. I feel such a void - you were my cheerleader and believed in me and loved me unconditionally. Thank you Dad for loving me. I hope and pray for your eternal peace. And if there is a heaven, I hope that I will see you and see Susie again. Love, Dubee
It happened on your Birthday. You are the King of Safety. I did not know who to call because I always called you. I called an older client and told him I had to call him because you were no longer in this world. I do wish that I could have talked to you but this I know. You were there. I have decided to get the house done - do what it takes to get it finished. This was a fluke but there are so many other things that need to be done to make it safer to live. So, Daddy, thanks for the message. I hope you are up there with Susie. xxoo Dubee
I miss you but feel your presence and energy every day. Thanks for making me such a tough girl!
Love,
Dubee
Dubee
Have a blessed day,
Robert "Bobby" Yates
He did get to see a match at the US Open in New York.
He will always be with you all because those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day.
He also made sure that we could swim and that we took care of our teeth - things that were instilled in him from a young age.
Leave a Tribute
I never knew the meaning of Daddy's girl until you left this world. I feel such a void - you were my cheerleader and believed in me and loved me unconditionally. Thank you Dad for loving me. I hope and pray for your eternal peace. And if there is a heaven, I hope that I will see you and see Susie again. Love, Dubee
It happened on your Birthday. You are the King of Safety. I did not know who to call because I always called you. I called an older client and told him I had to call him because you were no longer in this world. I do wish that I could have talked to you but this I know. You were there. I have decided to get the house done - do what it takes to get it finished. This was a fluke but there are so many other things that need to be done to make it safer to live. So, Daddy, thanks for the message. I hope you are up there with Susie. xxoo Dubee
Sense of Humor & Missing my Dad
My Dad had a wonderful sense of humor. My older brother's sense of humor (Bobby) reminds me of my Dad's. He has dry wit and this was much like my Dad's.
My Dad was so kind and loving to me even when I made fun of him. I used to comment about his ears and my Dad would laugh along even though I do believe he did not like it. He had a lot of patience for my jokes.
I feel my Dad every day in my presence. I have had a rough year missing my Dad but do know that he lives in me and with me. I have come full circle as I was mad at God but know am starting to believe that he has put my Dad in my presence.
I miss the physical presence of my Dad so much. He comforted me when I was sad and I could call him any time of the day or night. I shall never forget my Dad. I will always remain Daddy's little girl.
I love you Daddy.
Dubee
Memorial Ceremony Invitation
INVITATION TO MEMORIAL CEREMONY FOR WILLIAM A. YATES
Location: General Greene Pavilion, Washington Crossing Historic Park, PA (GPS address: 1112 River Road Washington Crossing, PA 18977)
Date: September 29, 2012
Start Time: Start time is 11:30 AM Sharp, please arrive by 11:00 AM if at all possible
Agenda: Greeting ('Bobby' Yates)
Opening Prayer (Uncle Bob)
Musical Selection 1 (Musical Director: 'Billy Yates')
Words of Inspiration
Musical Selection 2
Eulogies (Please contact me if you'd like to eulogize Dad)
Closing Prayer
Closing Musical Selection
Reception: will follow the Memorial Ceremony at the Cock n Bull Restaurant, Peddler's Village, Lahaska, PA at 2:00 PM. It's about a 25 minute drive from the ceremony cite to the reception site. GPS Address: Intersection of Routes 202 and 263 Lahaska, PA 18931
RSVP: 571-358-4561 or robertfyatessr@gmail.com (call if you have any questions please)
We hope to see you there -- God Bless!!
Announcement of Memorial Ceremony
Update #1 Posted at Noon, September 10, 2012
(Key changes are in red text)
Greetings Again, Friends and Family of William A. Yates:
This is Bob Yates again - hope you are all well! Okay -- here's the update: Billy and I traveled to Washington Crossing Historic Park on Friday, then hiked through the woods on the NJ side to find the Old Yates Place (more about this trek at the ceremony but I DO want to thank Aunt Jean for her excellent directions!). Billy and I also had lunch at the reception location -- the Cock 'n Bull Restaurant at Peddlar's Village in Lahaska, PA. I will now share the latest (and hopefully final) Memorial Service Plan/Agenda:
Location: General Greene Pavilion, Washington Crossing Historic Park, PA (GPS address: 1112 River Road Washington Crossing, PA 18977)
Date: September 29, 2012
Time: Start time is 11:30 AM Sharp, please arrive by 11:00 AM if at all possible
Agenda: Greeting
Opening Prayer (Uncle Bob?)
Musical Selection 1
Words of Inspiration
Musical Selection 2
Eulogies
Closing Prayer (George?)
Closing Musical Selection
Reception: will follow the Memorial Ceremony at the Cock n Bull Restaurant, Peddlar's Village, Lahaska, PA will begin at 2:00 PM. It's about a 25 minute drive from the ceremony cite to the reception site. GPS Address: Route 202 and 263 Lahaska, PA 18931
NOTES:
1) The Memorial Service will not be a liturgical Church Service out of respect for our Dad's wishes.
2) In terms of roles -- I will be the 'Memorial Service Lead' and Master of Ceremonies. My brother Billy will be the musical lead.
3) A few items specifically for each addressee to consider:
A) if you wish to eulogize our Father please let me know and I will do my best to include you on the agenda.
B) If you wish to nominate a song for one of the musical selections please let Billy (or me as a backup) know. We know a few that were his favorites and Aunt Jean provided others but we would also value your inputs. Billy as the musical lead would like to welcome any instrumentalists and singers that would like to join in the music during the service. If interested, you can contact him directly at (301) 602-8391 or e-mail him at goal23@comcast.net . Billy will have two to three microphones with stands and a mixer for any guitars that would like to plug into the sound system. Tentative Musical Selections include:
· Eternal Father, Strong to Save · My Wild Irish Rose · Moon River · Lil' Brown Church in the Dale
Again, please let Billy or me know if there are any further suggestions or recommendations -- until we make the final decision we are open to all ideas and sincerely appreciate your inputs!
C) I am looking for volunteers to lead the opening and closing prayers - let me know if you would like to do one or the other.
D) I am open to your agenda suggestions --the intent is to provide a fitting tribute to our father in accordance with his wishes.
E) Ellen will play a central role as well, especially in the eulogies.
Closing Points:
I will continue to provide updates via e-mail and on this Memorial Site: http://www.forevermissed.com/william-arthur-yates/?utm_source=fm_emails&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=followup_1#about
I will mail out very basic invitations and will need an RSVP list of all who intend to be part of the reception to ensure we have adequate food and drink for hungry Yates Family members -- these will go out by the end of this week. Billy and I spoke to Rich Yates (aka Skipper to some of us) on Friday September 7th and he informed us that he and Aunt Jeannie Grace (forgive my spelling) would be unable to make it.
If you think of someone else who should be included on this e-mail distribution please let me know and I'll happily include them. The same goes for old fashioned US Mail (aka 'snail mail') -- if there's someone who isn't included on the e-mail distribution group that should be included in regular US Mail, please let me know and I'll include them in the invitee mail out.
Please feel free to call or e-mail me at the number/e-mail below if you have any questions (e-mail: robertfyatessr@gmail.com Cell Phone 571-358-4561).
On behalf of the William A. Yates Family I would like to express our gratitude for the warm sentiments that have poured forth and our great desire to see all of you in person at Washington Crossing State Historical Park, PA at the Greene Pavilion on September 29th for the Memorial Ceremony that commences at 11:30 AM.
Call or e-mail me anytime at all if you have questions. God bless,
Bob "Bobby" Yates
Cell Phone: 571-358-4561
robertfyatessr@gmail.com