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

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!!

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

Each year, my father's youngest grandson and my son, Jake, would do Jump Rope for Heart at his school.  He would tell my Dad each time that he was jumping to raise money for him as his health problem was his heart.  It was so cute to hear him tell his Papo.

I was reminded of this today when one of my clients, Michelle Hartz and her son, Joe Burgess, made a contribution in my father's memory, to the American Heart Association.  It was very heartfelt and goes to a good cause as heart disease is the #1 killer in the US.