Serving Barnwell County and its neighbors since 1852
WILLISTON - Bruce Oneal “Ruben” Bates, 89, of Williston, S.C. passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
Funeral services will be held at 11 o’clock a.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at the First Baptist Church of Williston with the Reverends Joseph Sanders, Jimmy Hanf and Thomas Terry officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Mike Bowers, Tom Smith, Glenn Davis, Rob Bates, Charles Carroll, and Jimmy Richardson. Memorial contributions may be given to the Williston Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 367, Williston, S.C. 29853.
Born in Barnwell County, S.C., he was a son of the late James Edward Bates and Louise Carroll Bates and was married to the late Linda Jowers Bates for 60 years. Bruce was a member of the First Baptist Church of Williston where he taught Sunday School for over 40 years, also served as a deacon, and was chairman of the deacon board for a number of years. Bruce was a life-long farmer, was the top state peanut producer for several years, and was one of the state’s largest sweet potato producers in the early 1970s. He served on the Barnwell County ASCS Board. In 1965, Bruce was a RAT (college freshman) at Clemson College and ultimately earned his Agronomy Degree. He enjoyed quail hunting and Edisto River fishing. He was also a Mason in the Hope Masonic Lodge #126. He was a U.S. Army veteran having served 6 years in the Army Reserves from 1959- 1965 during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Survivors include his sons, Gregg (Stephanie Owens) Bates and Roger (Roxanne) Bates, all of Williston, S.C.; granddaughters, Gabrielle Nicole Bates of Williston, S.C. and Madison (Justin) Steadman of Barnwell, S.C.; his sister, Elizabeth ”Betty” Bates of Blackville, S.C.; sisters-in-law, Linda Rankin Bates and Nancy Bates; along with a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his wife, Linda Bates, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert “Bob” Arthur Bates Sr., Joseph “Joe” Bates, and Allen Bates.
Folk Funeral Home, Inc. Crematory, Williston, S.C. is assisting the family with arrangements. Visit the online registry at www.folkfuneralhome.com.
