Denver Lee Bates Jr.

Denver Lee Bates, Jr., 78, of Gallipolis, Ohio, passed away on Monday, June 22, 2026 at Adena Medical Center in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Born on April 26, 1948 in Henderson, West Virginia, Denver was the son of the late Denver Lee Bates. Sr. and Neva Smith Bates. Denver was a press operator at GKN. He was a tinkerer who enjoyed fixing things. Denver enjoyed watching old westerns, and he loved his dogs.

Denver is survived by his daughter, Julie Lyons of Gallipolis; son, Denver Lee Bates III of Circleville, Ohio; four grandchildren, Christopher (Destinee) Bates of Vinton, Ohio, Kassie (Eric) Taylor of Jackson, Ohio, Katlyn Bates of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and Justin (Miranda) Schartiger of Point Pleasant; seven great-grandchildren, Maddox, Anakin, Owen, Autumn, Ashton, Walker, and Lawson; sister, Jane Ann DeWeese of Gallipolis; and former wife, Joyce Bates of Point Pleasant.

In addition to his parents, Denver was preceded in death by his brothers, Frank Bates and Harry Bates and sisters, Helen Myers and Betty Clonch.

Visitation for Denver will be held at Willis Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026.