Devon "PeeWee" W Bates

September 2, 1940 - May 25, 2022

Devon “PeeWee” W. Bates, 81, of Huntington, passed away at 6:00 am Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN. Devon was born on September 2, 1940, in Huntington, IN, the son of Floyd Bates and Ruth (Houston) Bates. He graduated from Huntington Central High School in 1959. He married Bonnie Bates on March 25th, 1960; She preceded him in death on June 3, 2021. He retired from ITT Aerospace in Fort Wayne, IN after 20+ years of service. Devon was also a MAC college football referee for 20+ years. Mr. Bates was a lifetime member of S.A.S.S. (Single Action Shooting Society), Deer Creek Regulators, and Auglaize Rough Riders. For 20ish years Devon and his wife, Bonnie, and their beloved dogs, Cali and Keesha, traveled the U.S.A. with their cowboy families. Dressing in period style clothing (made by Bonnie) and putting on Wild West Shows. Dad's favorite parts were traveling with Mom, shooting targets, and being with his friends at End of Trail. Devon's hobbies in life were leather working, remote controlled race cars, roller-hockey, motorcycles, horses, train sets, CB/HAM radios, softball, racket-ball, camping, candle-making, and reading (5-10 books a week). Dad's love for his family has been his strength over the past year. Just recently 2 great grandsons were born. He loved having them visit and he said he is "so happy to hear laughter and children playing in the house again." Survivors include his three sons, Paule D. (Julie) Bates of Santa Cruz, CA, Allen (Diane) Bates of Murfreesboro, TN, and James (Kim) Wood of Roanoke, IN. Three daughters, Diane (John) Walker of MI, Andrea (Peggy McCune) Bates of Columbia City, IN, and Robin Jones of Sacramento, CA; Five granddaughters, Brooke (Justin) Bates-Kubin of San Francisco, CA, Kaitlin (Caleb) Jones-Hurst of Huntington, IN, Halle (Brandon) Blount of Fishers, IN, Gillian Bates of Nashville, TN, and Brittany (Terry) Garland of Columbia City, IN; Thirteen grandsons, Aron Brown of CA, Daymond Bates of Nashville, TN, Griffin Bates of Nashville, TN, Jerade Stephan of WI, John Stephan of Warsaw, IN, Josh Amick of WI, Justyn Amick of Andrews, IN, Jordan (Kimberly) Amick of Warsaw, IN, Joel Amick of Andrews, IN, Jayden Walker of MI, Dwight Pence of Fort Wayne, IN, Ryan Pence of Markle, IN, and Josh Wood; Two great grandsons, Titus "Pudge" Blount and Jamie Jones-Hurst. He is also survived by several "grandpups and chaos". He is preceded in death by his Wife, Bonita "Bonnie" R Bates, Father, Floyd Bates, Mother, Ruth Bates, Daughter, Teresa Bates, Granddaughter, Carolyn Brown, Grandson, Jacob Stephan, Grandson, Lee Bates, and their beloved pets, Cali, Keesha, Zach, and Ebony. Visitation will be from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Bailey-Love Mortuary with Denise Schwabeow officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Huntington. Family and friends are invited to a gathering at the Bate's family home after the burial services. Catered BBQ at the request of our dad, Devon. Preferred memorials to the Huntington Humane Shelter, in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN, 46750. Please sign the online guest book at www.baileylove.com. Bailey-Love Mortuary is honored to serve the family of Devon W. Bates.