William Floyd Bates, age 61, of Salisbury, passed away on Friday March 4, 2011, at his home.

Mr. Bates was born on Jan. 5, 1950, in Aurora Ill., a son of the late Kenneth Jackson and Delores Crescent Bates. He was a 1968 graduate of Boyden High School and had worked for W.G. “Bill” Hef-ner VA Medical Center in Salisbury.

Survivors include wife Thelma Miller Bates; sons Jeremy Everett Bates, Michael Lee Thompson and Jonathan Wade Thompson of Salisbury; and daughters Tara Bates Fulton and Tresa Ann Bates.

Carolina Cremation (formerly Evergreen Cremation Services) of Salisbury, NC is assisting the Bates family. Online condolences may be made at www.mycarolinacremation.com