of Coal Hill, AR

April 22, 1934 - March 8, 2021

Mr. William Bentley Yates, 86, of Coal Hill, Arkansas died March 8, 2021 in Ft Smith, Arkansas. He was born April 22, 1934, in Hunt, Arkansas, to the late Jeff and Myrtle (Ross) Yates. He was in the grocery business for 29 years. He played professional baseball under Detroit Tiger Contract. He retired after 25 years as a fireman from the Coal Hill Fire Department. He coached Little League Baseball for 28 years, President of Fraternal Order of Eagle for three terms, past State President, and past Southwest Regional, active for 25 years President, and member of the Masonic Lodge 383 in Coal Hill. He served as Mayor of Coal Hill for 14 years. He received Wampus Cat Award in 1980 and served on the Board of ARVAC and Johnson County Development Association, Housing Authority. He was involved in several Volunteer Projects, help build the City Hall, Child Development Center, bleachers at Westside Football Stadium, Tom Dowdy Gym and took care of City Park for several years. He enjoyed cooking for his family and looking after his cattle and garden. Ben finished school at Coal Hill High School where he played basketball and baseball, voted best athletic in 1952, All District Tournament, and received first Babe Ruth Award in 1953.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Jeff, and Myrtle (Ross) Yates; his wife Joann Yates; grandson Logan Tedford; two sisters and two brothers.

Ben is survived by two daughters Janette Jackson & Rick Pfeiffer of Coal Hill, AR; and Patricia (David) Tedford of Coal Hill, AR; grandchildren Candice (Raymond) Harvey; Dustin (Shayne) Estep; Chad Tedford; and Meagan (Anthony) Disney; great grandchildren Justin Tedford; Hannah Dunaway; Piper Tedford; Alexxys Tedford; Lainie Davenport; Ashley Acord; Kate Harvey; Taylor Hornsby; Anna Weaver; Allyson and Jackson Disney; great-great-grandchildren Ender, Charlotte, Jameson, and Bentley; one brother Dee Yates; and one sister Avis Meadows.

Open visitation will be 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Saturday, March 13 at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel. Cremation will follow.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home. Online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/clarksville

We are complying with the Arkansas Department of Health Guidelines, all attendees must provide and wear their own masks and practice social distancing during the service.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Cox Funeral Home
Rogers & Poplar Streets
Clarksville, AR  72830
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com