Obituaries

Mr. William Mason Gates, Sr., age 81, of 2600 Southside Road in Lincolnton, died on Monday, September 29, 2014.

His funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2014, in the Warlick Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Darrell Bost officiating. Burial will follow in the Pisgah United Methodist Church Cemetery with DAV graveside rites. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:15 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.                         

Mr. Gates was born June 11, 1933, in Lincoln county, to the late Julius “Boss” and Ernest Jane Rhyne Gates. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a grandson, Kevin Norman, three brothers, Jim, Larry, and Basil Gates, and one sister, Lois Gates. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and then later worked for, and retired from, Ethan Allen after 25 years of service.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Ann Gates of the home; two sons, Mason Gates and Scott Gates, both of Crouse; three daughters, Kathy McGrath of Crouse, Debbie Barnes of Claremont, and Crystal Starnes of Hickory; two brothers, Don Gates and Reid Gates, both of Lincolnton; two sisters, Candi Miller of Morganton and Joann Alexander of Lincolnton; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter, PO Box 60144, Charlotte, NC 28260-1444.