Mr. Michael Edward Bates, Sr., 68, passed away Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at University Hospital in Augusta following a short illness.

He was born May 25, 1953 in Grand Rapids, MI, had retired as Chief Petty Officer after 21 years in the U. S. Navy, retired again as a boiler inspector for Chubb Insurance Company and attended Fellowship Reform Church in Hudsonville, MI.

He was preceded in death by his mother Nancy Johnson.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Survivors include his wife, Mary V. Bates of Hudsonville, MI; two children, Michael E. Bates, Jr. (Monica) of Hudsonville, MI and Marybeth McGee (Brian) of Martinez, GA; four grandchildren, Roger, Michael, and Thomas McGee and Emersyn Bates; father, Edward Bates (Joan) of Sparta, MI and a brother, Steve Bates (Donna) of Rockford, MI.