William "Bill" Bates

William "Bill" Bates

December 12, 1934 - August 30, 2026

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Obituary

STOUGHTON - William L. “Bill” Bates, age 91, of Stoughton, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Skaalen Nursing and Rehabilitation. He was born on December 12, 1934, in Madison, the son of Art and Irma Bates


Bill graduated from Madison East High School in 1952. He met the love of his life, Jo Anne Dahlman, on a blind date through mutual friends, and they were married in 1954 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Monona. Bill completed a five-year electrical apprenticeship with Local 159 and spent his entire 40-year career with H&H Electric. He was a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for 65 years.


Bill and Jo were blessed with six children and eight grandchildren. They enjoyed playing cards, camping with family and traveling on many vacations together. After retiring in 1996, Bill and Jo moved to Brodhead where they built a home on two acres of wooded land.


Bill was a devoted Packers, Brewers, Bucks and Badgers sports fan. He enjoyed Old Fashioneds, Bloody Marys and Friday fish fries, working in his yard and especially taking fishing trips. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 40 years. In 2021, Bill moved to Stoughton.


Bill is survived by his six children, Lynn (Wendell) Egeness, Diane (Kurt) Miller, Terry (Jim Ludwig) Brundish, Joy (Jeff) Gunderson, Mike (Bev) Bates and Dan (Emily) Bates; and grandchildren, Rachael Lawry, Zander and Skyler Gunderson, Katie, Matthew, Connor, Kiley and Addison Bates. He was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Irma; wife, Jo; and sister, Elaine Tomlinson.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. ANN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 323 N. Van Buren St., Stoughton, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2026, with Father Randy Budnar presiding. A private family burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday.


We miss you dad, we hope they have pie in Heaven.


Bill’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Agrace HospiceCare and Skaalen Heritage Center 3 for their compassionate care.
 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson Stoughton
Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St.
(608) 873-4590



Events

10
Visitation
Thu Sep 10, 2026 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
St. Ann Catholic Church • 323 N Van Buren St, Stoughton, WI 53589
Get Directions
10
Mass of Christian Burial
Thu Sep 10, 2026 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
St. Ann Catholic Church • 323 N Van Buren St, Stoughton, WI 53589
Get Directions

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A Memorial Tree was planted for William L. "Bill" Bates
Other •
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Gunderson Funeral Home - Stoughton
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Mary Tygum
Other •
Hi Joy, My condolences to you and your family at the passing of your dad. It's been a long time since we worked at the hardware store, And you cut hair too! Sincerely, Mary and Phil Tygum
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Chip Plummer
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My condolences to the family. Bill was a great guy and well like by everyone. If I recall my facts correctly, Bill started as a truck driver for H&H Electric. He worked his way up and thru the apprenticeship, becoming one of our best foreman and running some of the largest, most complicated projects that H&H Electric completed. As a foreman he was well respected by the people working for him, other contractors, and owners. I don't think I ever heard a nasty word from Bill, he was a hard worker and just an all around good guy. Chip Plummer Former H&H Electric President
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Tony Cords
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To all my cousins & the entire Bates family, So sorry for your loss of a great father, grandfather, and uncle. It was nice to be able to grow up right down Amsterdam Avenue from all of you. Uncle Bill was a hard worker. I remember his H&H truck/van always leaving early each morning around 6-6:30am heading off to work. He would return each day and do some chores around the house. He usually had a project or two going on. He was also one the most patient guys I ever came across. Nothing seemed to ruffle him and all while dealing with a six children household, which is no easy task. The thing I'll miss most is his dry sense of humor. He had a way of saying something that became funnier after you had more time to think about it. A great guy that lived a great life! Rest in peace with Aunt Jo. Tony Cords
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Lynette
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My sympathies to the Bates family . Bill was my husband’s foreman and mentor for most of Johns 35 + years with H&H . Bill , according to John , would not take any “ guff “ from anyone . Although I think John and Bill butted heads at times John had the highest respect for Bill as a teacher , foreman and person. I was hoping to make it to the service but am out of town and can’t make it back in time. Hugs to you Diane, I think of you often and when we first met about 50 years ago. Lynette ( John ) Adams

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