William Harbert Bates, III, 83, of Greensburg, KY, son of the late William Harbart Bates, Jr and Grace Martin Bates, was born on August 26, 1941 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He departed this life on Friday, June 13, 2025 at his home with his wife by his side.

Most who loved and knew him affectionately called him “Buddy,” because he loved to laugh and make others laugh. His entrepreneurial spirit can be traced back to a story from his childhood. At the age of 10, his neighbor contracted with him to solve a woodpecker problem. The birds were destroying his wooden gutters. At the price of a quarter a piece, he started to help his neighbor with his problem. However, seeing the problem was too big to tackle alone, and being a budding entrepreneur, he subcontracted to his friends to give them half of the going rate.

As a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a degree in Accounting, Buddy established three business colleges before becoming an executive in the telecommunications industry.

He had made a profession of faith in Christ and attended Egypt Christian Church. He was a force within himself - kind, giving and loving. Buddy enjoyed life to the fullest from a young boy throughout his adult life as he traveled the world and made countless friends. His giving nature is best represented by his devotion of over 40 years as a Hospice volunteer and a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Buddy was an avid reader and loved listening to Delta Blues. He died the way he lived, appreciating all of life’s blessings even up to the very end of his 83 years on this Earth.

SURVIVORS:

His wife: Sharon Brockman Bates of Greensburg

2 daughters & a son-law: Brandi Bates Brasher of Orange Beach, Alabama and Britney Bates Karasick & husband Steve of Atlanta, Georgia

4 grandchildren: John Sanford Brasher III, Blakely Bates Brasher, Brent William Karasick and Joshua Denton Karasick

1 brother & sister-in-law: Christopher & Patty Kay Bates of Lebanon, Tennessee

A host of other relatives & many friends

He was preceded in death by his stepdaughter, Melissa Brockman.

In honoring Buddy’s request, there will be no public services.

Arrangements are under the direction of Gupton - Landrum Funeral Home in Greensburg.

Expressions of sympathy are requested to be made in the form of donations to Hosparus of Green River, which can be made at the funeral home.