William Mack Bates

William Mack "Tommy" Bates, age 77 years, of Pine Knot, Kentucky died Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at the Tennova North Hospital in Powell, Tennessee.

He was born in Monticello, Kentucky on November 30, 1948 the son of the late William Edward Bates and Thelma Adell (Flynn) Bates Honeycutt. Tommy had worked as a mechanic and was a member of the South Pine Knot Church of God. He enjoyed gardening and yard sales.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Betty Vanover and Peggy Newsom.

Survivors include his children, Maxine Watterson (Donald), Tommy Bates (Kateasha), Tony Bates, William Bates (Stella), Laura Allen (Kenny), and Mack Bates (Tasha) all of Monticello, Kentucky; brothers, Frankie Bates of Whitley City, Kentucky, Ricky Bates of Monticello, Kentucky, Johnny Bates of Monticello, Kentucky, and James Bates of Whitley City, Kentucky; sister Zelma Upchurch of Covington, Kentucky; 19 grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 1pm Friday, July 24, 2026 at the McCreary County Funeral Home with Bro. James "Doc" Upchurch officiating. Burial will follow in the New Salem Cemetery in Monticello, Kentucky. The family will receive friends after 11am Friday at the Funeral Home.

McCreary County Funeral Home entrusted with the arrangements.