02/23/2026
Monty Westley Bates
Born September 30, 1930
Passed through the veil February 20, 2026
Monty is survived by his six children Marylee Shelly, David Bates, Timothy Bates, Paul Bates, Allison Rice, April Nickolsi. His sister Jean Oliver. Monty had many grandkids, great grandkids,and great great grandkids. At last count I believe the number was at 118 but there could be more now. WAY TO GO MOM AND DAD! Monty was proceeded in death by his wife Janene Bates and his sisters Dorthy McKinnon, Betty Poulson, Leona Baldwin, and Larue Culp.
Monty was born in Hamar Idaho and was the son of David Westley Bates, and Ethel Mary (Siepert) Bates. The Bates Family moved from Idaho to Westwood in 1939 to obtain work as the World was still recovering from the great depression. Then moved to Susanville in 1940. Where Monty spent his entire life .He held many jobs in the area. Working as a garbage route driver as a teenager when his father had bought the route for !,000$. Then he worked as a clerk for Royal Grocery. Monty then worked for Morning Glory Dairy doing varios jobs truck driver mechanic load trucks generally anything that needed done job titles were optional in those days. Finally as the retail route driver for the Susanville area.YEP he was the Milkman. From there he went to work for Sierra Pacific Industries in the power house. Monty always thought that the mill treated their employees well and liked working there . In 1978 Monty decided to start a construction business and bought a lot on Small street tore down the old house and built a new one. He built many houses in the area as well as some commercial projects. He then returned to the sawmill where he ran a construction crew until he retired. Monty was a devout believer in the Lord. A devoted member of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. Where he served as Bishop of the Susanville Ward from 1968 through 1973. He and Janene also served a mission in Iowa. Where he learned how to grow corn. He would plant a crop every year just to feed the entire church corn. He was a proud gardener! Monty was called to be a Patriarch for the church in 1995. Monty was very faithful and cared deeply for those around him. Anyone in need would see him at hand ready to help at a moments notice always with a smile and a song in his heart. One of his favorites was the Lord has need of willing hands. Services for Monty will be this Saturday at the Mountain Valley Ward Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at eleven AM located in Standish on highway 395.
