Joseph Norman Bates

Joseph Norman Bates, of Bertram, Texas, went to be with the Lord on March 9, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with lung cancer.

Joey was born to Elster Bates and Kathleen Simpson Bates on January 23rd, 1953, in Port Arthur, Texas.  Those that greeted him at Heaven’s gate included his mother and father, Kathleen and Elster Bates, his sister-in-law, Debbie Bates, and many dear friends and family members.

Those left to cherish sweet memories include his children Brooke Bates, Adam Goodale (Lauren), Bailey Graves (Brandon) and their mother, Cindy Keeling Bates. He is also survived by his siblings, Virginia Hennigan, Terry Bates, David Bates, sister-in-law Laurie McNeil, and brothers-in-law Clay Keeling and Cliff Keeling. He is survived by his grandchildren, Brodyn, Logan, Grayson, Brycen, his grand dog Holly Bates, and by numerous nieces and nephews.

Joey was a business man, a family man, and a true comedian for those who truly knew him. He was always wearing a Bates Backhoe ball cap, a Bates Backhoe T-Shirt, a pair of work boots, and a pair of blue jeans. He was blessed with a wonderful sense of humor and the gift of gab. He truly never met a stranger.

Joey was a man of his word and took pride in doing things the right way. In Joey’s eyes, a handshake was a binding contact. He was a perfectionist, and if he didn’t know it before, it was learned and perfected. Joey loved race cars and spent lots of time with his friends building them as well as drag racing. He loved to hunt, fish, and later in his life he loved watching wildlife and feeding the fish. He spent a lot of time, in his younger years, in Louisiana where he loved chasing those Cajun queens and catching crawfish.

Joey owned and operated a successful excavation company that he built from the ground up in 1984. He retired in 2014 and enjoyed his remaining years on his ranch raising cattle and spending time with his daughter, Brooke. She never missed a doctor’s appointment and took excellent care of him until he entered heaven’s gate.

Joey will be fondly remembered for his hard work ethic, witty sense of humor, and his love for conversation.

We would like to extend a special thank you the nurses at TX Oncology in Round Rock and Cedar Park for their great care.