Johnny Morgan Bates

Johnny Morgan Bates, 74, departed this life, Friday, June 7, 2024 after a long illness.  He was born on November 9, 1949 to Greeley and Verna (Wright) Bates in Letcher County, Kentucky.

Johnny worked at Anchor Hocking Glass in Winchester for 43½ years in shipping.  He married his wife, Mary LaVern Harrison Bates on January 19, 1974.  They were married for a little over 50 years.  They had 3 beautiful children together. 

Johnny leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Mary; his children, Johnnie Marie (Rob) Bates and Richard Bates; mother-in-law, Opal Williamson; grandchildren, Kay-Tee (Aaron) Bryant, Jeremiah Loper, Alexis (Devon) Wirt, Courtlen (Melray) Holloway, and Morgan Bates; great grandchildren, Raylen and Kyrie Tilson and Damion Bryant; brothers, Paul, Danny (Anna), Greeley Jr. and Charlie; sisters, Geneva (Steve) Walker, Delana (Bob) Etnyre, Dewana (Brian) Feltis, and June (Luke) Hall; special niece, Jennifer Kyla (Randy) Acker; and an abundance of cherished uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Johnny was preceded in death by his son, Wyatt Bates; 2 brothers, Jimmy and tommy Bates; and his parents, Greeley and Verna (Wright) Bates.

A service to celebrate Johnny’s life will be at 1:00 p.m., on Monday, June 17, 2024, at the Walker Funeral Home in Winchester, with the Old Regular Baptist Ministers officiating.  Burial will follow at Fountain Park Cemetery in Winchester.

Friends and family may call from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on Monday, at the funeral home.  Memorials in Johnny’s name may be made to Autism Speaks, P.O. Box 37148, Boone, IA 50037-0148.   

Walker Funeral Home in Winchester is entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerswinchester.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Johnny Morgan Bates, please visit our floral store.