Walter James Gates

Funeral services for Walter James Gates, 81, of West Monroe will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at First West Baptist Church-Feazel Chapel. Interment will follow at Kilpatrick’s Serenity Gardens. Dr. Woods Watson and Dr. Kevin Stewart will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until service time at the church under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home West Monroe.

Walter was born August 13, 1940 in Dodson, LA and passed away August 21, 2021 in West Monroe. He was a member of First West for many years, and was a member of McClendon Baptist Church in recent months where he enjoyed singing in the Adult choir. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving in Alaska and Crete.  Walter and his late wife, Verda enjoyed traveling on mission trips to Ukraine, Mexico, Russia and Wales and were very active in the Prayer Plus Life Group and choir at First West. He was a Math teacher, Music Minister and business owner. He sang with the Countrymen Gospel Quartet. He had many special friends in both churches that he loved spending time with, and also loved playing golf several times a week with his special buddies. He volunteered and traveled to disaster areas with the Red Cross.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Verda Murray Gates; parents, John Lee Gates and Jessie Lee Gates; 2 brothers, William Byron Gates and John Edward Gates; step-daughter, Karla Lee Charles and step-son, Jimmy E. Smith.

Walter is survived by his daughter, Lori and husband Todd Rios; brother, Robert and wife Candy Gates; step-daughter, Kathy Smith; 2 step-sons, Kim and wife Gloria Smith, and Justin Daniel; seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and one great-grandchild on-the-way.

The family extends a thank you to all the CNA’s who helped keep him comfortable and at home the last few weeks

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com