William Joseph Cates

William Joseph Cates, 60, of Linden, passed away on  March 8, 2024 at his home. A Celebration of Life will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, April 20 at Schmelter Stoney Acres, 6365 Lobdell Road, Linden. Family and Friends are encouraged to bring acoustic instruments. Arrangements provided by Sharp Funeral Homes, Linden Chapel, 209 East Broad Street, Linden. Contributions in memory of William may be made to the William Cates Memorial Fund c/o the family. 
  
He was born on October 18, 1963 in Flint, Michigan, the son of Joseph William and Rosemary (Dombrowski) Miller.  William worked at East Jordan as a steel worker. 

Will was the sixth of seven children, so being one of the youngest, his other siblings were grown and starting their own families. Will grew up on Lobdell Lake. He spent most of his childhood outdoors…. Fishing, swimming, hunting, chasing frogs and turtles and doing all the fun stuff boys do. He had a his little sister, Veronica (Sissy as he called her) right behind him, following him everywhere he went. In grade school Will would stay after school, with sisters, Roberta and Veronica, for archery class. He learned on a child’s longbow but as he got older the recurve bow became his favorite. He went on and competed in more competitions as he got older. He loved anything to do with a motor whether it was a boat, minibike, four wheeler, or any type of recreational vehicle. He quickly learned how to work on them and fix anything that was broken. When he was old enough to drive a car the engines and projects, he worked on got bigger and bigger and he never quit learning how to fix or build things. As a young man, Will moved to New Jersey to be with his dad and stepmom. He soon got married and welcomed his firstborn son, Dean. After some time he returned to Michigan. His favorite place to be was northern Michigan, where he resided for many years until returning to his hometown of Linden. He welcomed two more sons, Joseph and Anthony who be loved dearly and raised them himself. He had so many skills he could do anything. He worked as a chef, in asbestos removal, as a mechanic and various other jobs. He wanted to be his own boss so he started his own company and built homes as a rough framer. He found the opportunity to move back to Northern Michigan with his boys, Joseph and Anthony. They first moved to Charlevoix but then to East Jordan and he worked at East Jordan Iron Works. He raised his boys there until they graduated. He often had other children or friends living there that were struggling or needed a place to stay. Will was a great mentor to many. His door was always open to anyone. He took in foster children, DJ (Daniel) and Ashley. He loved them like his own children. He always had snowmobiles for everyone in the winter and all-terrain vehicles in the summer. Hunting and fishing were always on the calendar. Will Always had company when salmon started running. He taught many people the tricks to filling the freezer with fish and fresh game. He then moved to Johannesburg, and he soon became a proud Papa, welcoming one grandchild after another. He loved a lot of things in life but mostly he loved his children and grandbabies. Being in Johannesburg he could just walk across the street and go fishing or swimming with them or ride through the woods on trails and teach them as much as he could, all while making lifelong memories. His favorite family event was the yearly tradition of going camping at the Wheatland Music Festival, a tradition the family attended for 48 years. He was the type of guy who would help anyone and was always there for others. Will was part of a big family, but wherever he went throughout his life he met people that he called his family and vice versa. He recently moved back to Linden where he spent more time with siblings, family, friends, nieces, and nephews. He loved spending time with those he loved and enjoyed beautiful Lobdell Lake. Will was a godly man who believed you could sit in the middle of nature, worship the Lord and be as close to Him as you could get. Will’s passing leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, but his spirit will endure in the memories of family and friends. 

He is survived by three children, Dean Cates, Anthony Cates, and Makayla (Josette) Stiltner; foster children, DJ and Ashley; grandchildren, Brantin, Zoleana, Mathew, Gracie  father, Joseph (Marilyn) Miller; sisters, Lillian Cates (Dana), Barbara Cates, Roberta Cates, and Veronica (Jeff) Pheasant; many nieces and nephews; and many other friends that considered him family. 

William was preceded in death by his mother, Rosemary Miller; son, Joseph Cates; two brothers, Ron Gates and Martin Cates. 

Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.