William Henry Bates

William Henry Bates, age 58, checked out of this ole world and stepped onto Heaven's greener pastures on Tuesday evening, February 17, 2026, at Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth, Mississippi.

Funeral services honoring our buddy's life will be held at 11 AM on Sunday, February 22, 2026, in the Heritage Chapel of Ripley Funeral Home, with Bro. Robert Buse officiating. Visitation will be from 5 PM until 8 PM on Saturday evening at Ripley Funeral Home. Burial will follow in New Salem Cemetery near Walnut, Mississippi.

Born January 19, 1968, at Tippah County Hospital in Ripley, William Henry was the son of the late Hubert and Voler Woods Bates. He received his education from Walnut High School - though as he would probably grin and say, he went in the front door and found his way out the back. William Henry lived life on his own terms, never confined by convention and never slowed by expectation. A jack of all trades and master of a few he claimed proudly, he was best known for his years in the roofing business. If there was a roof that needed laying or a job that needed finishing, William Henry was your man. Hard work didn't scare him, and heights certainly didn't either.

While roofing may have been his main trade, William Henry's true talent was in the art of the deal. From chickens to hogs and just about anything in between, he had an eye for opportunity and a knack for turning it into a dollar. Folks often said he could sell ice to an Eskimo - and they probably wouldn't even argue about the price. Trading, bartering, and wheelin' and dealin' weren't just side hustles; they were part of who he was. He enjoyed the chase as much as the catch, and he never met a handshake he didn't trust.

A Christian and Southern Baptist, William Henry was exactly what you saw - no pretense, no polishing, just real. He didn't need the finest things in life to be content. Give him a few animals in the yard, a good conversation, and a little music playing, and he was at home. He loved raising chickens and hogs, swapping stories, and especially dancing - particularly if there was a pretty woman willing to take the floor. He could fill a room with his booming voice and contagious laugh, spinning tales that grew taller with every telling. Whether you believed every word or not didn't matter - you enjoyed every minute of it.

Of all his roles in life, none meant more than being "Papaw." His granddaughter, Clancy, was the apple of his eye. He delighted in spoiling her and took great pride in his children and family. Beneath the loud laugh and sharp wit was a man with a tender heart for those he loved most.

The world will surely feel a little dimmer without William Henry's bright presence in it. He brought laughter where there was silence, energy where there was stillness, and light into the lives of those fortunate enough to call him friend. Though he will be missed beyond measure, his spirit lives on - in every good deal struck, every dance enjoyed, every story stretched just a little too far, and every laugh shared around a tailgate or kitchen table.

Until we meet again, keep the stories going, the laughter loud, and life lived full throttle, ole buddy.

Those left to keep his memory alive include his daughter, Olivia Bates, his son, Jacob Bates (Katie), his brothers, Philip Bates (Mary), Billy Bates (Deborah), and Frank Bates, and his granddaughters, Clancy Raye Bates, and baby Willa June, that will be arriving in August, along with a wide circle of family, and many many friends.

He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Dorothy Kirkman, Nancy Bates, and Francis Bates, his brothers, Daniel "Bud" Bates, and Thomas "Bo" Bates, his nephews, Michael and Mark Bates, and his niece, Rhonda Henderson.

Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with William Henry's family.