Gordon "Woody" Dale Bates Sr., age 71, of Stevensville, Pennsylvania passed away on October 17, 2019, at the Endless Mountains Health Systems, Montrose, PA.

Gordon was born on October 9, 1948, in Sayre, PA the son of the late Wilfred and Mildred Bates. He was a graduate of Wyalusing High School with the class of 1966.  After high school, he joined the United States Army where he served his country during the Vietnam War.

He married the love of his life Paulette G. Newhart Bates on June 6, 1970 and were married for 47 years before her passing on January 13, 2018.  Together they owned and operated Bates Stone.  They ran the business for many years with many of the family helping along the way.  Woody was hard working, and in his free time he enjoyed to ride around and visit with his friends around the area.  He also loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gordon is survived by his children, Gordon Bates Jr. and his wife, Jill, of Towanda, PA and Nikki Bates (Matt Steele) of Stevensville, PA. Three grandchildren, Austin Madill (Amanda Kesler) of Lawton, PA, Dylan Bates and Destiny Bates, both of Towanda, PA; three great-grandchildren, Savannah Powers, Lincoln Madill, and Owen Madill; his siblings, Joyce Bates, of Pennsylvania; and Ron and Evonne Bates, of Wyalusing, PA.  He also is survived by his mother and father-in-law, Paul and Valerie Ruhf Newhart, Sr. of Friendsville, PA; brothers/sisters-in-law, Ed and Doris Newhart of Kirkwood, NY; Diane and Ken Bates, Sr. of Wyalusing, PA; Emma and Tom Sobonski of Friendsville, PA; Karen Newhart Fitch of Pennsylvania; Elisha Newhart (Cindy Pellew) of Friendsville, PA; and Debra Newhart of Friendsville, PA; special nephew and long-time employee, Kenny Bates, Jr. of Camptown, PA; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Paul Newhart Jr. and David Newhart.

A Celebration of Life for Woody will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2019 from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Montrose V.F.W. Post # 5642, 16972 PA-706, Montrose, PA 18801.  Also, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Wyalusing American Legion Post # 534, 89 Bowling Alley Road, Wyalusing, PA 18853 on Friday, November 1, 2019 from 5:00-8:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Gordon's name to the Guthrie Hospice, 421 Tomahawk Drive, Towanda, PA 18848.

Arrangements are entrusted with Sheldon Funeral Homes, 155 Church St., Wyalusing, PA.  Online condolences may be made at www.SheldonFuneralHomes.com.