Thomas William Bates, 86, of Greenwood, Arkansas passed away on Monday, August 28, 2017 in a Fort Smith hospital. He was born on April 21, 1931 in Mt. Shasta, CA. He was an Army and Air Force veteran of the Korean War, a retired truck driver for Highway Express trucking and a life member of the VFW 6527 in Greenwood, Arkansas. Funeral services are 10:00AM, Friday, September 1, 2017 at Ocker-Putman Funeral Home Chapel with burial with honors to follow in the U.S. National Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Maedale Bates of the home, two daughters, Arlette Moore of Vancouver, WA and Cathy Jeffcoat of Grand Island, NB; two step daughters, Donna Johnson of Poteau, OK and Glenda McClellan of Fort Smith, AR; three step sons, Steve Patterson of Greenwood, AR, Mike Smith of Fort Smith, AR and Allen Patterson of Van Buren, AR and several great and great great grandchildren. Pallbearers are Gene Johnson, Bobby Miller, Michael and Chris Smith, Jamie Chappell and Steve Patterson. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ocker-Putman Funeral Home of Fort Smith, Arkansas.