Billy Cates

After 82 years, Billy Willard Cates' earthly life came peacefully to an end on 05/31/2017 at his home in Cabot, AR. Billy was born November 25, 1934 in England, AR to Thomas and Ines Cates. The oldest of 8 children, he was known by all as his momma's favorite.
At 18, he was drafted into the United States Army, serving two years as a gunner and in the Korean War. He later joined the United States Air Force where he served 4 years at Travis AFB in aircraft maintenance. He received an honorable discharge from both branches of service.
He married Charlotte Nation Cates in 1972 and remained in North Little Rock where they raised their daughters, Lisa and Tenyia. He retired from Automatic Door Sales and Service after 30 years. They moved to Cabot in 2008.
A coon hunter since childhood, Billy rose in the ranks of competitive coon hunting and was well known nationally. He finished 2nd and 3rd in the ACHA World Hunt, was Arkansas State Champion, including Arkansas Night Hunt Dog of the Year, along with numerous top 20 places in ACHA, PKC and St. Jude coon hunting organizations. He is known fondly in the hunting community as Watash (Korean term for "best buddy").
Billy is preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and one brother, Geneva Cates, Ruth Bearden, Lillian 'Kitty' Krol and Larry Cates.
He is survived by his wife, daughters and their families:
a�� Charlotte was married to Billy for 44 years and enjoyed traveling and spending time with family. Most recently they enjoyed volunteering in their church food bank.
a�� Lisa and Keith Yoakum of Benton, AR - their sons, William Yoakum and Jacob Yoakum also of Benton, both now serving in the United States Air Force.
a�� Tenyia and Bob Reedy of Monroe, LA- her children Logan, Bryce and Grace Ann Klawetter. Logan will be a Junior at Bigelow High School, and Bryce and Grace will be going into the 8th and 6th grades at Ouachita Christian School in Monroe, LA.
a�� LaVonne and Richard Choate of Sagle, ID- her children Dustin Colbert and Calan Smidt.
Billy is also survived by two sisters and one brother, Betty Onderbeke and Sharon Cates of Little Rock, and Gary Cates of North Little Rock, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Monday, June 5, 2017 at Smith North Little Rock Funeral home, 1921 Main Street. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park & Mausoleum.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.
Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com .