Add a Memory
Make a Donation
William Gates Sr.
1925 - 2020
William Gates Sr.
1925 - 2020
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1925
DIED
2020
William Gates Obituary
We invite you to share condolences for William Gates Sr. in our Guest Book.
Read Full Obituary.
49 Entries
Dennis Tessier
August 2, 2021
Truly one of the best lawyers I´ve had the honor to work with. Our hearts and prayers are with the Gates family. Rest in peace my dear friend.
Lincoln Elementary class of 1939
Alice Manning-Rolfness-Sakelaris
December 14, 2020
Lincoln Elementary class of 1939
Alice Manning-Rolfness-Sakelaris
December 14, 2020
Alice Manning-Rolfness-Sakelaris
December 14, 2020
Mom said that Bill lived on the "other side of the tracks" from her family. She was 70 days older than he. She said that Bill, Jr is "the spitting image of Billy."
- Alice Rolfness-Sakelaris (1924 - 2016)
How you can show support
Maria Lehmann
October 10, 2020
My condolences to The Gates Family for the loss of Mr. Gates, I did not know him personally but knew of his family history reading in Mr. Bill page, there is no word to described the sorrow and sadness from a lost of a parent, My thought and prayers for the Gate family in this time of sadness and sorrow My sincere condolence to Bill Gates and family. RIP
Tony
October 7, 2020
Sincere condolences to the Gates family for the loss of your dear beloved father Mr. William Gates. May you find comfort in your wealth of fond memories together. May the God of all comfort who is the hearer of prayers be with you in your time of need with his loving kindness and peace as He strengthens you to cope during this difficult time.
Washington State
September 21, 2020
Thank you for your service to our country. Rest In Peace.
Joseph Michael Gyulay
September 20, 2020
I will alway remember his great kindness and considerate nature. Receiving his handwritten holiday note dated December 25th just to thank me for a holiday business gift. He would notice me at restaurants or at fundraisers and stop by my table just to say hello.
A role model for all, authentic, true gentleman, a big man with a big heart.
Joseph Michael Gyulay - Palm Beach
Randy Ecker
September 20, 2020
I am sorry for your loss. The passing of our parents is one of the hardest things we have to do as an adult. You all are in my thoughts and my prayers
Jerry Zentz
September 20, 2020
My condolences to the family. I met your father in the 60's when he would attend board meetings at our company, Interface mechanism's. Sometime he would bring his teenage son.
mike cromer
September 20, 2020
RIP BROTHER, YOU DID GOOD....
MIKE, TYLER, TX
John Jacob Zucker Gardiner
September 19, 2020
Bill Gates was a gentle giant and a compassionate human being. It was my honor as District Governor to welcome Bill Gates, Jr. to Seattle Rotary Club #4 with Todd Summerfelt presiding as President. Todd asked why he hadn't joined Rotary earlier; he said "no one asked." A powerful lesson for us all. His wonderful book on Showing Up for Life is worth many re-readings; a short biography full of life lessons learned. A kind and humble man, he will be missed by all who were blessed to know him.
At Seattle #4 Rotary's 100th anniversary, Bill Gates, Jr. introduced his son, the centennial speaker, Bill Gates III, as "the greatest philanthropist in the history of the world.” He pinned Trey as an honorary Rotarian later at that meeting. A kind and humble man, he will be missed by those who were blessed to know him.
faith/rory tobin/dockett
September 19, 2020
Dear Gates's Family Rory and I sincerely extend our condolences's on the loss of Bill Gates's Dad.he'll surely be missed very very much.and may he rest in peace.best faith/rory
Marty Yurkovic
September 19, 2020
Bill lll looks just like Bill ll. Bill Sr seemed like his son ,kind , Proud , and loving of other people.
September 19, 2020
My condolences.
C T
September 19, 2020
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
George
September 19, 2020
Heartfelt sympathies to the family
September 19, 2020
My deepest sympathy to you family, may God give you peace.
Art Gates II
September 18, 2020
Sad to hear,
I am sorry for your loss.
September 18, 2020
BG :Sr will be missed as nonagenarian with condolences to his friends and family!
John Kay
September 18, 2020
My condolences go to the family and dear friends of Mr. Gates. The planet and its inhabitants are immeasurably enriched because of him.
wendy wisniewski
September 18, 2020
There has never been a better manager of the bill and melinda gates foundation than when Wm Gates Sr was at the helm. After reading your obituary, i agree, who better than your son knew who the "real" bill gates was. Hopefully, you will be reunited in heaven not only with him, but with all you other loved ones as well. RIP
September 18, 2020
Heartfelt condolences to the Gates family, truly sorry for your loss, may God be with you as you go through this most difficult time of your loss.
Lee
September 18, 2020
My condolences go out to the family of Mr Gates. So sorry for your loss.
Ron Newman
September 17, 2020
Wonderful Person
Superb Lawyer
Remarkable Life
Rest in eternal peace
Ivan Chou
September 17, 2020
Mourn with deep grief the death of William Gates Sr. Rest Well in Paradise, thoughts and prayers to the family
patrick wolf
September 17, 2020
condolences to all
Mark
September 17, 2020
sincere condolences Gates family and friends
Mahmood Ahmad musa
September 17, 2020
Actually is a great lost to bill Jr and the rest of the family and also a great lost to we the rest of the peoples here, benefiting from all his kindness that we will never forged, a great hero sr bill may your soul rest in peace. Mahmood Ahmad musa.+2348121209537
Chris Aylward
September 17, 2020
May god bless you for all of your contributions to our great people
September 17, 2020
With deepest sorrow to the family of Mr. William Gates, Sr. He left an indelible mark on the world that lives on through his work and his family. May the peace of God be with each one of you.
Bill Sneed
September 17, 2020
Mr. Gates and Family... My sincere condolences for your loss. May you and your family find peace and healing in the days ahead.
Tania Cruz
September 17, 2020
This man must have been extraordinary. His charitable philosophy which he passed on to his children impacted millions. R.I.P sir. Your legacy will continue.
dean gates
September 17, 2020
we lost a great man in william gates. my symathy to the family.
Michael Aletto
September 17, 2020
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Gates many times as an employee of the Olympic Hotel in the 80's, a true gentleman.
Chris
September 17, 2020
I offer my sincere condolences to Bill and Melinda Gates in the loss of your beloved father. What a beautiful legacy he has left for you. May your fond memories and the comfort from God help you cope during this difficult time. Philippians 4:7
Barbara Wisbey
September 16, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Trifone Family
September 16, 2020
Gates Family
So sorry for your tremendous loss. Words are never enough. Prayers are for his kindly soul.
Jeff Tolman
September 16, 2020
Bill & I became acquainted through our work with the Washington State Bar Association and the ABA House of Delegates. Bill never lost his Bremerton roots, and was always a kind, welcoming, interested, friendly, helpful and caring person for a small town practitioner in Little Norway. He was a big time lawyer - and human - with small town care, empathy and compassion. Bill left a big mark on the world, and those who had the good fortune to know him.
Westwood Area MEMPHIS, TN
September 16, 2020
Rest Well in Paradise Mr. Gates, thoughts and prayers to the family...
September 16, 2020
RIP my friend. You have lived a long life.
Scott Chamberland
September 16, 2020
My Deepest Sympathies
Bertha Ortega
September 16, 2020
My deepest condolences to the Gates family!!
He will be greatly missed for making our state and our world a better place!! He also had faith in Heritage University and helped so many grateful students!! Rest in peace
Patricia Comerford
September 16, 2020
What a wonderful generous man and you, his son, following in his footsteps. The world is better for this unbelievable generosity which continues. Now that he is in Heaven, may you be able to smile when you think of your father.
September 16, 2020
God is a God of all Comfort and he will Comfort the family's...My heartfelt condolences to the family's
September 16, 2020
Bill, I'm sorry for your loss.
Jan Deer
September 16, 2020
May the memories carry you through this very difficult time.My condolences to the family. May God fulfill his promise of binding up the brokenhearted. (Isa 61:1.)
September 16, 2020
What an amazing man he was. We pray that God continues to strengthen and comfort the family during this difficult period.
Showing 1 - 49 of 49 results
Make a Donation
in William Gates's name
How to support William's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor William Gates's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read moreMore ways to support the family
Visit the Sympathy Shop
Sponsored