Walter Ray Yates, age 90, of Columbus, MS, passed away November 12, 2015, at Baptist Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be Sunday, November 15, 2015, at 2:30 PM at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Roy Hawkins officiating and Rev. Ralph Windle assisting. The interment will immediately follow at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until the time of the service at Calvary Baptist Church. Gunter & Peel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Yates was born March 22, 1925, in Happy Hollow, MS, to the late John and Fannie Torrence Yates He was a veteran of WWII and Korea serving in the United States Army and was the recipient of two silver stars and the bronze star. Mr. Yates retired from American Bosch and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Billy Ray Moorehead, seven brothers and three sisters. Survivors include his son, Tommy Yates and his wife Cheryl of Columbus, MS, daughters, Nancy Elliott and her husband Jeffrey of Belton, MO, Janice Williams and her husband Larry of Caledonia, MS and Renee Veazey and her husband Charlie of Columbus, MS, twelve grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren, and four great-great- grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Van Yates, Levi Williams, Steve Jenkins, Cory Moorehead, Anthony Elliott, and Brad Reeves. Honorary pallbearers will be the Calvary Baptist Church Men's Sunday School Class, Chad Elliott, Jack Mellott, and Kevin Rodvelt. The family would like to express their appreciation to caregivers Steve and Leann Jenkins, Morrisa Jenkins, and the staff of Camellia Hospice. Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 295 Dowdle Dr., Columbus, MS, 39705, or to the donor's favorite veterans charity.
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