Wilma Jean Gates died on November 24, 2022, at the age of 80, after a long, heart-breaking period of physical and mental decline inflicted on her by dementia and Parkinson’s Disease. Wilma was born on November 2, 1942, to Floyd and Zettie (Clarkston) Blakey in Protem, MO.  The family moved to Springfield, Missouri when she was very young, and she attended Fairbanks, Pipkin, and graduated from Central High School.  She married William “Bill” Gates, on July 7, 1961. She was a homemaker whose true gift was her cooking skills. She made the best homemade chicken and noodles, homemade rolls and apple pie.  The smell of food cooking when you walked in the house ready for one of Wilma’s meals was the most warm and special feeling and she loved to cook for family and friends as often as she could. Bill and Wilma and the kids enjoyed family vacations and weekends at Stockton Lake camping with family and friends. She was an avid bowler and made some of her best memories and best friends during those times. One of Wilma’s favorite activities was spending time at the casinos anytime she could get Bill to take her. After her dementia and Parkinson’s Disease made it difficult to go to the casino, she still enjoyed her flowers and hummingbird feeders outside the dining window. Wilma is survived by her devoted husband; her two children, Bill (Jana) Gates and Sharon Smith; four grandchildren, BJ Gates, Brandi (Justin) Walker, Kayla Smith, and Adam Smith; five great-grandchildren, Trey Gates, Layla Walker, Keira Walker, Brantley Gates, and Jaylee Walker; one special sister, Eva Tindle; special brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, Jim (Mary) Gates and Rick (Peggy) Gates, Lanta (Sam) Younger, and many nieces, nephews and cousins that all thought so much of their Aunt Wilma.  She was a “favorite” to many.

Preceding her in death were her parents, four sisters, one brother and son-in-law Dick Smith.

A memorial service is scheduled at Greenlawn North on Thursday, December 1 at 11:00 a.m.  Visitation will be Wednesday, November 30 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.  Burial will be at White Chapel Cemetery.

Our family would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the 7^th Floor Nursing Staff at Cox South Hospital for their warmest caregiving to Mom during her final days.  Andrea and the nursing staff made Mom as comfortable as possible, and we are so thankful and blessed to have her and the other staff help Mom to her final rest.

Mom was proud that she attended Fairbanks Elementary School, and was very excited to hear of the new “The Fairbanks” Community Center to help the community that she grew up in.  In honor of Mom, memorial contributions can be made to “The Fairbanks” – https://drewlewis.org/fairbanks/