William "Bill" Yates

William Barksdale “Bill” Yates, 85, of 105 Greencroft Place, Danville, VA, having said goodbye to those he loved, died at his residence following a long and courageous battle with leukemia that finally took him on Saturday, August 31, 2024. Born on November 19, 1938 in Halifax County, VA, Bill was the son of the late Claude Benjamin Yates, Sr. and Annie McDowell Yates. He lived most of his life in Danville, VA. Bill had a full and productive life in tobacco with Dibrell Brothers Inc., retiring in 1995 as Vice President, and Phillip Morris U.S.A. where he retired in 2007. He travelled overseas to ten countries over his career. He also arranged and wrote the script for the first Tobacco Auctioneering Championship in Danville with R.J. Reynolds and was known by the contest as “Pretty Boy”. He was a member of Mount Tabor Baptist Church, the Ruritan Club, the Young Men’s Club, the Danville Golf Club, and was honored with many awards and recognized by his peers as well as those he led as being wise and fair to others. He also had arranged for a boy from Brazil to come to the U.S. to be fitted for an artificial leg. Bill was married on April 7, 1965 to Betty Adams Yates, who survives. In addition to his wife, of the residence, Bill is survived by two sisters, Dot Bennett of Danville, VA, and Mary Lee Reid of Round Rock, TX; five nieces and nephews; and several great nieces and great nephews. He was predeceased by two half brothers, C.B. Yates, Jr., and Henry Woodrow Yates; two sisters, Betty Yates Whitt, and Ruby Kathryn Yates; and a brother-in-law Billy Adams. A special thanks for Bill’s caregivers, Commonwealth Hospice, Gregory Smith, Teresa Edmonds, and Polly Foust for their wonderful care and compassion during his illness. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at Highland Burial Park with the Reverend Carl Burger officiating. The family will be at the residence at other times. The family suggests memorials may be made to the Danville Life Saving Crew, 202 Christopher Lane, Danville, VA 24541 or Commonwealth Hospice, 101 Holbrook St., Suite 203, Danville, VA 24541. Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel is respectfully serving the Yates family. Online condolences may be made at www.wrenn-yeatts.com.

William "Bill" Yates

November 19, 1938 - August 31, 2024