Living with son, James A. Bates in Smiths Bridge, Macon, NC in 1880.
In 1883, The Enterprise, a Franklin newspaper listed the oldest members of the community. Among those was William Bates, 75.
Newspaper article, 29 Aug 1889: Mr. William Bates of Smith Bridge Township, died last Sunday evening Aug. 25, 6 o'clock of Erysipelas at age 85.
Double stone in Coweeta Baptist Church Cemetary:
Blessed are they who die [in?] thee [L***?]
Christeena Bates Died June 11, 1888 aged [82?] yrs.
William Bates Died August 25, 1889 aged 84 yrs.