William G. Coates  

William G. Coates, 79, of Gilbertsville, loving husband of Diane (Bosch) Coates passed away on  Tuesday, May 19, 2026. 

He was born in Philadelphia, Pa on September 28, 1946, the son of the late Joseph and the late Jane (Mates) Coates.

Bill was a graduate of St. Matthew's High School In Conshohocken, class of 1964 and Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science.  After high school, Bill joined the Merchant Marines sailing for Sun Oil Company.

From September 1966 to September 1967 he served in Vietnam with the First Calvary Division.  During this time he earned a Purple Heart.

Bill was well known in the Lafayette Hill area having operated a landscaping business for many years.  He had been a fire fighter with the Barren Hill Fire Company, a member of the Whitemarsh Township Business Association and a member of Fritz Lodge.

Bill's favorite activity was fishing and crabbing on his boat in the Delaware Bay.  He also enjoyed spending time at the family vacation home in Seabreeze, NJ.  After Super Storm Sandy carried the entire house into the bay, Bill bought a RV so that the family could spend time at Whipporwill Campground near Ocean City, NJ.

A fan of anything outdoors, Bill was concerned about the environment.  For years before most people knew what it stood for, Bill flew an Earth Flag at his house.

An avid reader Bill Collected over 800 books.  He also liked all genre of music, but his preference was Reggae (social consciousness), and lively Irish Music which he enjoyed so much that he learned to play the fiddle.  

Surviving along with his wife of 58 years are three children, Son Gregory (Tina) Coates, Daughter Amy (Kevin) Downes, Son Christopher (Ekpenyong) Coates, and six grandchildren Samantha Coates, Brett Coates, Justin Coates, Carly Downes, Michael Downes and Ryan Downes, Bill is also survived by his brother Robert (Holly) Coates, Edward (Andrea) Coates, and his sister Kathleen (Jose Beauchamp) Lafaille.

His Service and Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Bill's memory to the American Heart Association, Post Office Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.

Arrangements by Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 224 West Main Street, Trappe, PA, (610) 489-7900.

www.msrfh.com.