In Memory Elder W.L. Bates

Senior Advisors to the Ministers

Bio: Rev. W.L. Bates has been a minister for 55 years. He accepted his calling into the ministry in 1958 in the Baptist church. About a year after preaching his first sermon he moved to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church when he joined Pillow Street C.M.E. church. His first appointment was Johnson Chapel C.M.E. church. He retired from Pillow Street C.M.E. church following a succesful career in the denomination. He married the late Evelyn Juanita Pye and had five sons. Rev. Thomas Bates, Rev. Harold Bates Sr., Clifton Bates, Vernon Bates, and Brian Bates. His most famous sermon "Do Your Work" has been how he approached his ministry. He was proud of the fact that he got along well with all of the churches he  had the privilege to pastor. In 1999, he ran unsuccessfully for a position in the Shelby county government so the incumbent would not run unapposed. He was a veteran of World War II. He was instrumental in helping many young ministers get their careers started in the church and was still advising many of them until the time of his death. He set his sites on helping Get Recovered Ministries started as he was the chief advisor to the ministers.  GRMCC misses your guidance!!!!