Col, Dr., Rev., William Frederick Bateman, born Sep. 22nd, 1935 to Gladys Lee Funderburke and German Elisha Bateman in Memphis, TN.

Bill graduated from Union University, Jackson, TN and Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. Attended seminary in KY and CA. Pastored Baptist churches in Brownstown and Madison, IN, and a United Church of Christ church in Indianapolis, IN, while also serving in the National Guard. He enjoyed a short retirement, served Westminster Presbyterian Church of Fairfield Glade for eight years.

He entered the Army to serve in the Chaplain’s corps, which he did until retirement in 1990. Military assignments included Ft. Bragg, NC; Vietnam; San Pedro, CA; Brooklyn, NY; Stuttgart and Giessen, Germany; Redstone Arsenal, AL; Korea, and Ft. Bragg again. Colonel William Bateman served his country as a chaplain in the US Army for 21 years. He attended airborne school and was a chaplain to special operations troops. He was a highly decorated soldier with two tours in Vietnam and was twice awarded the Bronze Star.

Rev. Bateman was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Bill Bateman, Jr.; his first wife Josephine Frances White Bateman; and his sisters, Alice Haber and Barbara Lee Cohen.

Left to cherish his memory are: wife, Shirley Hudson Bateman, daughters Susan Pitts and Katherine Weaver (Albert); grandchildren Becca Pitts Pearson; Brandon Alexander Farlin; Noah Nicholas Weaver; David Terrill Pitts, Jr. (Melissa); Rowland Whitney Pitts (Ryma); Esli Terrill Pitts (Faith); and great-grandchildren: Chelsie, Sean, Kellie, Ashley, and Alyssa Pitts; Jessica and Angel Agwu; Kelly and Veronica Oberst; and Paisley and Presley Pearson. Nieces Karen Crouch, Janet Robertson; Christ and Mary Flynn; nephews Mark and George Haber.

A celebration of Life service will be held December 15 at the Community Church in Fairfield Glade, Tennessee at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cumberland County Veteran’s Assistance Council c/o Cumberland County Bank, or Westminster Presbyterian Church.