Vaughn Russell Bates

Vaughn R. Bates, 73, of Y Road, Willington, devoted husband of 51 years of Shirley (Lincoln) Bates, died peacefully on Thursday May 30, 2002 with his family at his side. He was born Oct. 22, 1928 in Rocky Hill, CT. the son of Walter and Olive (Whitehouse) Bates. Vaughn was a 20 year Air Force veteran, retiring as a Master Sergeant. While in the military, he was a member of the U.S. Air Force Band and also served as a recruiter in Ct. He owned and operated Bates? Republic UConn Texaco Station in Storrs since 1968. As a member of the Federated Church of Willington, he served on various boards and committees. He was also a member of the Mansfield Lion?s Club, the Echo Grange and was a former member of the Willington Board of Education. Vaughn enjoyed sailing and power boats. He was the devoted father of Scott Bates and his wife Karen of Storrs, Donna Werkhoven and her husband Carl of S. Windsor and Colleen Bombria and her husband James of Bolton. He is also survived by a brother Donald Bates of Cheshire, a sister Louise Wheeler of Wallingford, 6 grandchildren; Lindsay, Chelsea, Jessica, Zachary, Hunter and Kelly and many nieces and nephews. His family will receive friends at the Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic on Sunday from 4:00 to 7:00pm. His funeral service will be held on Monday at 10:00am at the Hall Memorial Church, Rte. 32, South Willington with the Rev. Mark Larson officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery, Central Village. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests memorial donations to the Steeple Restoration Fund of the Federated Church of Willington, 132 River Rd., Willington, Ct. 06279.