The Rockwell, North Carolina community is mourning William Lombard Yates, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who died on September 29, 2026, at the age of 87.
William passed away at Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House in Salisbury, North Carolina.
His obituary remembers him as a family-centered man who enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, riding motorcycles with friends and spending time with the people he loved most.
Who Was William Lombard Yates?
William Lombard Yates was born on July 26, 1939, in Burke County, North Carolina.
He was the son of the late William Yates and Dorothy Lombard Yates.
Over the years, William built a life rooted in family, work and the simple activities he enjoyed.
He worked as a clerk for the Rowan County ABC Board, a role that connected him to the wider Rowan County community.
A Long Marriage to Joan Yates
William is survived by his wife, Joan Yates.
The couple married on October 18, 1958.
Their marriage lasted nearly 68 years, reflecting a lifetime of shared experiences, family milestones and memories.
For relatives and friends, that long partnership is one of the defining parts of William’s life story.
William Yates’s Children
William and Joan raised a family together.
He is survived by his daughter:
- Annette Reavis and her husband, Darrell
He is also survived by his son:
- Michael Yates and his wife, Sue
William was preceded in death by his son, Billy Yates.
The loss of Billy remained part of the family’s history, and William’s own passing now brings another period of grief for those closest to him.
A Proud Grandfather and Great-Grandfather
William’s family grew across several generations.
His surviving grandchildren include:
- Anna Lomax
- Emily Yates
- Brady Reavis
- Mason Yates
He was also blessed with great-grandchildren:
- Alden Lomax
- Noah Lomax
- Beau Reavis
- Vivian Reavis
His obituary makes clear that spending time with family was one of his favorite ways to pass the time.
William Yates Cause of Death
A specific cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
The official obituary confirms that William died at Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House but does not identify a particular illness or medical condition.
For that reason, no diagnosis or medical explanation should be assumed.
If the family chooses to share more details later, they can be reported then.
Until that time, his cause of death should be considered private and unconfirmed.
A Career With the Rowan County ABC Board
William worked as a clerk for the Rowan County ABC Board.
That role formed an important part of his working life.
Public obituary information does not provide a detailed employment timeline, but his connection to the board places him among the many local residents whose careers were spent serving within Rowan County institutions.
An Outdoorsman Who Loved Fishing and Hunting
William’s obituary remembers him as an avid fisherman and deer hunter.
Those outdoor interests were part of the life he enjoyed away from work.
Fishing and hunting often create memories shared across generations, and for families, those traditions can become some of the most cherished parts of remembering a loved one.
William also enjoyed riding his motorcycle with friends.
That detail paints a picture of someone who appreciated both the outdoors and companionship.
Motorcycles and Friendship
Riding motorcycles was another of William’s favorite activities.
His obituary notes that he enjoyed taking rides with his friends.
For many riders, motorcycles are about more than transportation.
They can represent freedom, friendship and the enjoyment of spending time on the open road.
Those memories are likely to remain meaningful to the people who rode alongside him.
Family Was at the Center of His Life
Although William had many interests, his obituary makes it clear that family came first.
Spending time with relatives was one of the things he enjoyed most.
For his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his death represents the loss of someone who had been part of family life across decades.
His passing at 87 closes a long chapter in a family story that now spans several generations.
Family Members Who Preceded Him in Death
William was preceded in death by his parents, William Yates and Dorothy Lombard Yates.
He was also preceded in death by his son, Billy Yates, and his sister, Dottie Kearns.
Those losses form part of the larger family history remembered in his obituary.
What Has Been Confirmed
William Lombard Yates was 87 years old.
He was born on July 26, 1939.
He was from Rockwell, North Carolina.
He died on September 29, 2026.
He passed away at Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House in Salisbury.
He worked as a clerk for the Rowan County ABC Board.
He was married to Joan Yates.
He was a father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He enjoyed fishing, deer hunting and motorcycle riding.
His funeral arrangements were handled by Powles Staton Funeral Home.
What Has Not Been Confirmed
William’s specific cause of death has not been released.
No detailed medical diagnosis has been published in the obituary.
Any claim involving cancer, heart disease, another illness or a particular medical event should not be treated as fact without confirmation from the family or an authorized source.
Visitation for William Yates
The family received friends and relatives on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The visitation was held at:
Powles Staton Funeral Home
913 West Main Street
Rockwell, North Carolina 28138
The funeral home is assisting the Yates family during this period of mourning.
Memorial Donations
In place of flowers, William and his family requested donations to Shriners Children’s Hospital.
The family asked that contributions be made in memory of William Yates.
That request offers friends and relatives a way to honor his life by supporting children and families receiving specialized medical care.
Remembering William Yates
William’s obituary gives a picture of a man whose life was shaped by family, work and familiar pastimes.
He spent years working in Rowan County.
He built a marriage that lasted nearly seven decades.
He watched his family grow through children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He fished.
He hunted.
He rode motorcycles.
And most importantly, he valued time with family.
Those are the details likely to remain most meaningful to the people who knew him.
A Life Spanning Generations
At 87, William had the opportunity to see several generations of his family grow.
Few things reflect the passage of a long life more clearly than grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathering to remember the same person.
Each generation carries different memories.
Some may remember hunting or fishing trips.
Others may remember family gatherings, conversations or holidays.
Together, those memories form a legacy much larger than a list of dates.
Rockwell Community Mourns
William’s death is also a loss for the Rockwell community.
His family roots, professional life and decades in the area connected him to people throughout Rowan County.
For those who knew him personally, his passing marks the loss of a familiar presence.
For family members, it is the end of a lifetime of shared moments.
What Happens Next
Family and friends will continue remembering William through the stories and traditions they shared with him.
Memorial contributions to Shriners Children’s Hospital may also continue in his name.
Any additional family tributes or personal remembrances should come from those who knew him best.
For now, the focus remains on honoring William Lombard Yates as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather whose life touched multiple generations.
Disclaimer
This article is based on verified obituary information published through Powles Staton Funeral Home.
William Lombard Yates’s age, date of death, family relationships, work history and memorial arrangements have been confirmed.
A specific cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
Any claims regarding a particular illness or medical condition should not be treated as confirmed unless released by his family or another authorized source.