Ronnie W. Bates, 64

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Ronnie William Bates, 64, of Sun City, AZ, formerly of Litchfield, died on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023.

Memorial services for Mr. Bates will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Union Avenue Christian Church in Litchfield, with Rev. Jon Magnuson of Beacon Church officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mr. Bates was born on Aug. 23, 1958, in Litchfield, a son of William Lee and Dorothy Mae (Tinsman) Bates. He married Candie K. Bond in 1978 and they divorced in 1992. He married Cheri D. Walch in 1993 and they divorced in 2009. In 2010, he married Deborah Hillier and she survives.

Mr. Bates graduated from Litchfield High School with the Class of 1976 and attended the University of Illinois Firefighters Academy. He first worked for Schutt Manufacturing in the maintenance department. Mr. Bates began his firefighting career with the City of Litchfield, where he started as a volunteer firefighter for five years before serving as a professional firefighter from 1982 until his retirement in 2010. He was a member of the IAFF Local #3252, coached baseball, enjoyed concerts, working out at the gym, swimming, riding around on his golf cart and enjoyed spending time with his family. 

In addition to his wife, Mr. Bates is survived by his sons, Chris Bates of Litchfield and Trevor (Samantha) Bates of Hillsboro; daughter, Kylie R. Bates of Litchfield; additional daughters, Stephanie (Chuck) Balogh of Peoria, AZ, and Christina (Eddie) Eades of Waddell, AZ; grandchildren, Katlynn Pomatto, Karson McConnell, Mason Bates and Daxton Bates; additional grandchildren, Ashlyn Hickman, Wyatt Hickman, Samantha Dominguez, Adrian Dominguez, Holly Potter, Tyler Potter, Ethan Hauser and Chloe Hauser; additional great-grandchildren, Braden Dominguez, Carter Dominguez, Tayla Dominguez, Tyler Potter and Clay Potter; his brothers, Michael (Barbara) Bates, Jeff (Scherrie) Bates, and Steven (Muffin) Bates, all of Litchfield; his mother-in-law, Caroline Rincker; and his brother-in-law, Ronald Hillier.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Bates was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Lee Bates, who died in Vietnam on Nov. 24, 1968.

Memorials may be made to the Litchfield Volunteer Fire Department. Condolences can be left online at www.plummerfuneralservices.com.