George Willard Yates

George Willard Yates, Claypool, passed away surrounded by family at 5:25 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, at his residence at the age of 77.

He was born on Oct. 12, 1941, in Bonanza, Ky., to Elzira (Marshall) Yates and Edward “Eddie” Yates.  On April 16, 1960 he was married to Beulah Marie (Owens) Yates, who survives.

He was a resident of Kosciusko County, Indiana for the past 71 years, where he was a member of First Freewill Baptist Church of Kosciusko County in Claypool, Indiana.  He was never afraid of a hard day’s work. He worked as a maintenance worker for 12 years at Kosciusko Community Hospital and for 12 years for Warsaw Community Schools.  One of his favorite things to do was to work on antique cars, but most of all he loved his family and grandchildren dearly and will be forever loved.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 58 years, Beulah Marie Yates, Claypool; three sons: Willard (Angel) Yates, Arizona; Vincent E. (Clara) Yates, North Carolina; Greg (Kathy) Yates, Warsaw; one daughter: Lorraine (Jerry) Brown, South Whitley; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  He also leaves behind two sisters:  Wilma (Bev) Richardson, Warsaw; Phyllis (Gary) Beane, Bremen; two brothers:  Bill (Judy) Yates, Akron; and Ron (Kim) Yates, Claypool.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and one brother.

His funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, at First Free Will Baptist Church of Kosciusko County, 58 W. 700 S. (700 South and County Farm Road) Claypool, and officiated by Pastor Terry Bradford.  Burial will follow with a graveside service at Graceland Cemetery in Claypool.  Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s web site at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.