Carthage - William J. Coates, 66, of 35771 Jackson II Road, died Friday afternoon, October 26, 2012, in the Carthage Area Hospital.

Mr. Coates was born in Lockport, NY, on December 7, 1945, the son of the late William H. and Mina Bullen Coates. He attended schools in Lockport and graduated from Carthage Central in 1963. He later attended Jefferson Community College, receiving his Associates Degree in Accounting. He was a former member of the National Guard. Bill worked as a sales tax auditor for New York State for several years. He then operated his own accounting and tax preparation business at his residence. In 1996 he opened his taxidermy business called Hog Heaven Taxidermy and since has been joined by his son Robbie who maintains the business today. A marriage to the former Roberta Place ended in divorce. He married the former Mary Lou Hill on July 11, 1981 in Carthage.


Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Lou of Carthage, one son and his wife: Robert W. and Denise Coates of Carthage, 3 Grandchildren and 5 Great Grandchildren, one sister and her husband: Brenda and Steven Campany of Great Bend and a nephew.

Funeral services will be held privately at the family's convenience. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are with the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home, Carthage.