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.
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28 Condolence(s)
Charles wright
Sunday, July 10, 2022
I love you Bill. Fly high and rest in peace.
Ronnie Bartlett
Thursday, May 20, 2021
Such a great man,he was my little league coach and he had his grocery store in Coal Hill.I am 60 years old now and I still remember this great man with fondness,he won’t be forgotten.
Randy LeFlore
Friday, March 12, 2021
Janette and Trisha I’m so sorry for your loss of your Father. Bentley was a pillar of Coal Hill, and my baseball mentor. I remember when I was living away when I thought of Coal Hill Ben and family would always be in my memories. I will miss him but have many fond memories. A Great Man that loved his Family and Friends and devoted to helping and improving his community.
Marietta Hurst Stokes
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Janette, Trish, and family. I'm so sorry about you losing Ben. He was such a kind man. May you find comfort in the Bible's promise of a resurrection. (Acts 24:15) made possible by Jesus' sacrifice. (John 3:16) Love to you all.
Karen Hall
Thursday, March 11, 2021
I am so sorry for your loss. May the goodness carry you through your loss.
Dixie A. Moore Koerdt
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Ben, was such and awesome person. I didn’t live to far from him when I was going to school. Great basketball player and baseball. Got to watch him play lots of basketball and some baseball. Coal Hill will miss him.
Prayers for all of the family.
Dixie
sharon Nichols Highfill
Thursday, March 11, 2021
So sorry to hear about Ben passing away I remember him having the store in Coal Hill when we were teenagers .He was always so nice .I know you and your families will miss him . Will be praying for you all . love sharon
Beverly Burton
Thursday, March 11, 2021
May peace and comfort his family in time of loss .Ben was a good man ......
Sharon Davis
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Ben was an amazing man, he always treated Darryl and I like family. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to each and everyone of his family members, he was not only strong family man. Ben was also a pillar to our community.. Hugs and love to all
Ellen Bartlett
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Janette and Trisha so sorry to hear about your dad. Prayers for you and your family.
Richard Mays
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Prayers for Yates family Bentley was a great man helped coach little league baseball with him in the late 80s he had great influence on lots kids and adults in his life
Glen and Cindy Overturf
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Glen and I are so sorry for your loss. I know you’re going to miss your Dad. Dad’s are special people. I pray for God’s comfort and peace during this difficult time! Love ya, Glen and Cindy
Georgiana Patterson
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Ben was a good friend to Robert and me. He and Joann, Carol and Jeep, and Robert and I had lots of fun trips together. The last time I talked to Ben, we talked about those good times and how much we missed them. Prayers for all his family.
Cyndy Styles
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
I’m so sorry for your Loss. Ben was a wonderful man. Prayers for the family.
Kathy Weymouth
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
So sorry for your loss he will be missed R.I.P. and God Bless.
Greg and Marsha Tindell
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Prayers for Bentley’s family! He was a great man!
jean zolliecoffer
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
so sorry about bentley love mickey and frances mike and paul and david
Clifford and Jackie Owen
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Ben you were a big part of our education while we grew up. God Bless the family and hold them high in prayer ðŸ™!
Jerry Fultz
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
My heartfelt condolences to you, Ben was a rare gem and I know he will be missed by many.
Randy Gilbert
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
A great man who had a heart of a servant. Coal Hill will be changed forever with this loss.
Joe & Ada Miller
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Hugs and prayers
Faye Raible
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Ben was such a positive influence for so many. He contributed so much of his life to helping others, and his community. He will be missed. Prayers for comfort and peace.
Tammy Bohannon
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
So sorry for your loss, there are no words to express of how much Ben will be missed, he made coal Hill what it is today. My prayers and thoughts are with you. May you rest in peace Mr. Ben.
Glen Pannell
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
So sorry to hear about Bentley. What a good man, many good memories. Prayers for Patricia and all of the family.
Berta Weathers
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
We will all miss Ben. He was one of the good guys. Always smiling and willing to listen when you needed a friend.
Vickie Duncan (Self)
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Dear Janette and family...your Dad was a great man and has left such a wonderful legacy. Cling to those many precious memories until you meet again. May God bless and keep you and give you peace.
Love, Vickie
Debra and Arron Bartlett
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Sending prayers !
Charles and Judy Hurst
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
So sorry to hear about Bentley. He was a neighbor and friend all my life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family