William M. "Duke" Yates, Jr.

William M. “Duke” Yates Jr. was born May 29, 1939, in Monroe, LA, to William M. and Sarah Reneau Yates. He joined His Savior in Heaven on June 30, 2025, at 87 years of age.

Duke was raised in Oak Grove before moving to Monroe. He was a graduate of Ouachita Parish High School and was the owner-operator of the ABC Cleaners. He managed a hunting club for George Franklin, and after attending ULM, managed the Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area for the LA Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. He said that he had the greatest job in the world because he was paid to be in the woods that he loved. He was a highly respected hunter’s hunter, bowhunter and fisherman who loved telling stories of how his father and grandfather taught him to “love the woods and the water.” He was proud to have passed that love on to his family and His greatest joy was his family.

Duke was preceded in death by his parents, William M.

“Big Duke” Yates and Sarah Reneau Yates.

Duke is survived by his wife of 67 years, Shirley Anne Davis Yates, three sons, William M. “Matt” Yates III and his wife Terri, Jerry Paul Yates, and John Yates and his wife Linda, six grandchildren, including Jay Yates and his wife Heather, Gabrielle Yates and fiancée Andre Carter, Christian Yates, Christy Yates and her fiancée, Nathan Crowther, McKayla Yates and Jonathan Yates, two great-grandchildren, Emma and Issak Yates and nieces including Jackie, Kelly, Jennifer, Lisa, and other extended family. He loved his church family and friends at Rowland Road Baptist Church.

A memorial service officiated by his son, Dr. John Yates will be held at Rowland Road Baptist Church on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 3:00 PM with visitation to begin at 2:00 PM.

Pallbearers will be Nathan Moore, Jay Yates, Patrick Dispenza, Vince Dispenza, Wes Pleasants, and John Bradshaw.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jodi McKoin, Mike Vining, Tommy Minor, James Adams, Clyde Bird, Bobby Kerrigan, and Jerry Farrah.

Memorials may be made to Faith Bible Institute at 1133 Hwy 139, Monroe, LA or online at FbiClass.com. Gifts will be used to translate Bible Teaching into the world’s top 100 languages and dialects.