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William “Bill” Orville Coates, 80, of Davie County died on April 20, 2021.

He is preceded in death by: his parents, George Frederick Coates and Mary Margaret Laderoute Coates; his son, Rick Cox; his brothers, Jack “John” Coates, Danny Coates; his grandchildren, Billy Perdue, Anthony Burke; and his great-great-grandchild, Gabriella Perdue.

Known among his parents and siblings as “Jerry”, he was born on Dec. 15, 1940 in Riverview Mich. and grew up in the city of Wyandotte, approximately 11 miles south of Detroit. The prankster of the family, among his misadventures, he once stashed 200 garter snakes in his bedroom. His mother had no doubt of the culprit when she spotted a number of them winding their way through the banister on their way downstairs.

He graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School before entering the service of the US Air Force. True to his middle name, he enjoyed working on all aspects and types of aircraft. Upon being honorably discharged, he tried a number of jobs, including offshore oil rigs. Ultimately he returned to that which he loved, workin on aircraft for over 30 years before retiring from US Airlines in 2002.

He was a loving, devoted husband and soulmate to his wife of 46 years, Patricia Coates. They showed a fierce love and devotion to one another. Never more content than at her side, he would sit in the parking lot while she got her nails done awaiting her return.

He will be remembered as a devoted Catholic, and loved father, brother, uncle, and grandfather. He loved to fish, travel, and forge his own path to adventures of his own making, or getting lost among the forests of Canada. He loved and respected all things in nature, from the mountains to the ocean, and all creatures great and small.

Survivors: his wife of 46 years, Patricia Coates; his sons, Danny Cox and wife Lorry of Ohio, Mike Cox of N.C., David Cox and wife Debbie of Ohio, Larry Cox of Ohio, Richard Coates and wife Cathy of N.C.; daughters, Tammy Perdue and partner Dotson of N.C., Loretta Owens and wife of Perry who also preceded Bill, Regenia Kendrick of N.C.; brother, Fred Coates of Mass.; sisters, Loretta Lizak and husband Michael and Mary Lou Coates, all of Michigan; 22 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

The family will receive family and friends on Thursday, April 29, from 5-7 p.m. at Davie Funeral Service Chapel, 416 Valley Rd, Mocksville, with a funeral mass on Friday, April 30 at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4820 Kinnamon Rd, Winston Salem. The burial will follow at Rose Cemetery, Mocksville. Father James Stuhrenberg will officiate.