Clarence C. Bates, Sr.

Clarence C. “Clancy” Bates, 73, of Indian Trail, NC, and formerly of Norwich, died on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City, NY.

Born on July 29, 1951, in Norwich, Clancy was a son of Warren and Elizabeth (Jilson) Bates. He spent his childhood in Norwich and graduated from Norwich High School in 1971. Clancy was drafted during the Vietnam War in 1971 and spent the three years stationed in Berlin, Germany. Following his honorable service, Clancy moved to Apalachin, NY before moving back to Norwich. Here in Norwich, he worked for Simmonds Precision previously known as General Laboratories Associates and continued with the company during their various name changes until his retirement from Unison.

On July 3, 1971, in Norwich, Clancy married Harriette Myers, of Norwich and together, they shared 52 years of marriage.

Clancy was an avid sports fan. He coached his children in football, baseball, and wrestling and was a founding member of the Pee-Wee wrestling program in Norwich. Clancy was a great swimmer and swam the breast stroke at the New York State Empire games. He was a huge Purple Tornado fan was a die-hard fan of the Jets, Yankees, and Syracuse. Clancy volunteered for twenty years at the Gus Macker basketball tournament in Norwich and enjoyed fishing on the Grass River in Pulaski, NY. Most of all, he loved his family and grandchildren and treated all like family. 

In additional to his wife, Hariette, he is survived by his four sons, Clarence, Jr. (Lisa) Bates, of Indian Trail, NC, Joe (Carmela Milcker) Bates, of Norwich, Shannon (Craig) Overmeyer, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Greg (Christina) Bates, of Norwich; grandchildren, Clayton Bates, Tyler Bates, Cade Shea, Trey (Bailey Chesebro) Bates, and Tyler Bates; siblings, Ellen Morrinson, of Cameron, NC, Warren Bates, of Norwich, Shirley Lamoreaux, of Norwich, and Milton Bates, of Utica, NY; and brother-in-law’s, Ronald (Deborah) Myers, of Norwich, Harry Jr. (Joyce) Myers, of Norwich, and John Vinal, of Norwich; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, William Bates and Richard Bates and sister-in-law, Mary Vinal. 

A celebration of life for Clarence will be announced at a future date. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to a scholarship fund being established in his memory. Check made out to the “Clarence C. Bates, Sr. Memorial Scholarship” may be mailed to the Wilson Funeral Home, c/o Clarence C. Bates, Sr. Memorial Scholarship, 68 South Broad Street, Norwich, NY 13815. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted with the Wilson Funeral Home.