Bill D. Gates, 74, lifelong Anthony farmer and rancher and businessman, passed away February 3, 2019. He was born December 14, 1944, in St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas to Irene Carothers. Irene married Dale Gates and they became a family of five with the birth of his brother Rex and sister Nancy. They also had a half-sister Anita. Several years of Bill's life was spent with his Grandma & Grandpa Carothers. Bill attended the Hopewell Presbyterian Church as a youth.

On September 6, 1964, Bill married Sandra Marks. This union was blessed with two sons, Kelly and Mitch.

Bill was known for his love of family, his generosity and innovative spirit, and a sense of humor that endeared him to those he touched.

Bill had a great love of his Grandpa's farm and was very happy when he was able to purchase it and make it their family's permanent home. Bill was employed by Justice Battery in his high school years and continued working there for a few years after graduation. He also worked at Fankhauser Motors, Babcock Motors, Harper County Bridge Department, Anthony Farmers Co-op and the City of Anthony as a policeman and lineman on the electric department. Bill started his first shop in 1977 as Bills General Repair and built his new shop in 1979. Bill especially enjoyed having his sons involved in the family business. Kelly has continued working with Bill at the shop since he graduated from high school. Bill also enjoyed taking his faithful pal, Boomer, to the shop with him every day for 16 years.

Bill loved farming and his first love was taking care of his cows and baby calves. He enjoyed his customer's, but he especially liked getting out of the shop and running the tractor. He loved working the ground!

Bill's hobbies included collecting and rebuilding antique cars and collecting antiques of all kinds. He also liked to work on those old cars and soup them up and make them better than ever.

Survivors include his devoted wife and love of his life of 54 years, Sandra D. Gates; a son Kelly Gates (Beth), Mitch Gates (Ali); eight grandchildren: Michael, Nicholas, Brett, Carson, Kristina, Jessie, Hannah and Colt; five great grandchildren: Cayden, Colton, Annmarie, Preston and Daniel; sisters, Nancy Gates and Anita Foley; brother, Rex Gates; nieces: Cassi Lanie, Lindi Lanie and Charlotte Neumeyer; nephew, Jay Gates; and many relatives and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Dale and Irene Gates; grandparents, Charley and Naomi Carothers; and great niece, Zoie Gates.

Funeral service will be held 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony. Burial will follow in Spring Grove Cemetery, west of Anthony.

Friends may register 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Prairie Rose in Anthony.

Memorials in memory of Bill may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003, is in charge of arrangements.