William D. Bates

William Douglas Bates, 64, of Donahue, IA, passed away on May 16, 2025. He will be reunited with his father, John Bates, and his brother, Gregory Bates. He is survived by his beloved wife Carolyn; his mother Jo Bates; sister Debra (Mark) Hayes and brother Rick Bates; his four daughters, Kelley (Andrew) Manson, Laura (Jeremy) Sanders, Kathryn (Andrew) Proball, and Hannah (Matthew) Brock; four stepchildren, Anna (Logan) Scharf, Tom (Emily) Grabow, Megan Grabow, and Pete Grabow; and ten grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Bill’s mind was uniquely brilliant, and his heart was exceptionally kind. He was a lover of both woodwork and wordplay, keen to solve puzzles of every sort. He exuded a quiet, warm, welcoming energy, and there was always a spark of clever mischief dancing in his eyes. Bill’s love of music started in childhood. It led him to the theater, where Bill held many roles acting and singing with Quad City Music Guild and Playcrafters Barn Theater, and had the great joy of doing several productions with his children. Later, it led him to sing with the Sacred Heart Choir. He also successfully turned his love of collecting strange and interesting things, especially tools, into a side business - Jabberwocky Creative Reclamation - in addition to his work as an IT professional.

Bill’s greatest pride was his family. Whether he was coaching his girls in softball, riding his bike with his wife, teaching his grandkids to shoot rockets, or taking his beloved black lab, Millie, for a walk, Bill delighted in the company of those he loved. A lifelong Iowa resident, Bill has a network of cherished friends, including Jack and Tina Lutgen.

Bill was not without his flaws - as an avid reader, he became wholly oblivious to the world around him when lost in a book, and has occasionally clogged the fireplace by chucking a particularly unsatisfying novel into the flames. But his devotion and love for his wife was a thing of true beauty, and more than outweighed these small foibles. They spent their eleven years of marriage building a life of laughter, generosity, friendship, and partnership, leading their big, blended family by loving example.

Bill will be remembered for his many gifts, his humble confidence, and his love for people, life, and the Cubs. Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Davenport. Burial will follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Long Grove. Visitation will be 4-6 pm on Friday at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, and will begin with a prayer service at 4 pm. There will be additional visitation from 9:30 am until time of services on Saturday at the Cathedral.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House and Home Instead for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the Bettendorf Public Library, or Habitat For Humanity.

“Come to my arms, my beamish boy!

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!”

He chortled in his joy.