Willie Lee Bates, age 82, of Bartow, FL died Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, FL.

He is survived by Four Daughters: Tomeshia (Thomas Futch) Streeter, Bartow, FL, Kenya (Kamula) Bates, Lakeland, FL, Latasha Bates, Bartow, FL, April (Ashley) Bates, Bartow, FL; One Son: Shannon (Tonya) Burch, Tampa, FL; One Sister: Catherine Northern, Bartow, FL; One Brother: Henry Arthur Bates, Bartow, FL; Twelve Grand Children; and Ten Great-Grand Children.

Viewing will take place at Gause Funeral Home, Bartow, FL from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, on Friday, June 30, 2023. Funeral service will be at First Providence Missionary Baptist Church at 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 1, 2023.

Interment will be at Wildwood Cemetery, Bartow, FL.