Obituary of Wells Corbin Bates

Wells Corbin Bates was born on December 11, 1916, in Chester, CT and died on March 24, 2013, in Naples, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents Hamilton and Jessie Corbin Bates, a brother, Corbin, a sister, Barbara Crowther, a sister, Helen Witherspoon, a brother Hamilton, Jr. and a grandchild, Jennifer Phillipi. He graduated from Deep River High School in 1934, Governor Academy in 1935 and Dartmouth College in 1939. He was President of C.J. Bates and Son, manufacturers of "Susan Bates" art needlework implements, based in Chester, CT. The business was founded by his grandfather, C.J. Bates, and continued to thrive under the management of his father and eventually Wells and his younger brother, Hamilton. In 1977 the company was sold to Coats and Clark. Wells was active in civic affairs, serving on the Board of the Connecticut Manufacturer's Association, the Chester Board of Finance and the Board of Trustees of the United Church of Chester. In Connecticut he served on the Board of Governors at the Madison Beach Club, Clinton Country Club and Black Hall Club. After retiring in 1978, he and Betty became Florida residents and members of Wilderness Country Club and Hole-In-The-Wall Golf Club where he served on their boards. They were also members of Royal Poinciana Golf Club in Naples and Old Lyme Country Club in Connecticut. He loved the game of golf and held a record of ten holes in one. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Betty; daughters Lynn Greenho (Earl), Susan Nuernberger (John), Elizabeth Valsala, and a son, Wells Bates, Jr. (Diane), 7 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Moorings Park Foundation at 120 Moorings Park Drive, Naples, FL 34105 or Habitat for Humanity P.O. Box 6439, Americus, GA 31709-6439. A memorial service will be held at The Bower Chapel at Moorings Park on April 6, 2013 at 3:00 pm. To share a memory of Wells or to leave a condolence for his family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements by Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.