Samuel Lee Bates

Samuel L. Bates, 76, of Point Pleasant, died Sunday, September 27, 2015, at Cabell Huntington Hospital, Huntington, WV. He was born August 9, 1939, in Point Pleasant, a son of the late John L. Bates and Janet Irene (Knapp) Bates. Sam had worked as a deckhand and engineer with several river towing companies. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert "Corky" Bates and Dale "Buddy" Bates. Surviving are his wife, Jennifer (Stone) Bates of Point Pleasant; two children, Chad (Danielle) Bates of Point Pleasant and Lynn (Daniel) Cooper of Hamerville, OH; seven grandchildren, Seth Lee Bates, Garrett Samual Bates, Chazz Bates, Ezra Herdman-Bates, Nevaeh Lynn Bates, Chandler A. Sollmann, and Charlee L. Cooper; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be 1 p.m., Friday, October 2, 2015 at Wilcoxen Funeral Home, with Pastor Johnny Hayman officiating. Burial will follow at Kirkland Memorial Gardens in Point Pleasant. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, for those considering an expression of sympathy the family suggest donations to Little Victories Animal Rescue Shelter, 3589 Wire Branch Road, Ona, WV 25545 or One by One Animal Advocates, P. O. Box 1032, Ashland, KY 41105 Condolences may be expressed to the family and memories may be shared by visiting www.wilcoxenfuneralhome.com.