Carol N. Bates

Carol N. 'Footie' Bates was born January 11, 1943 at home in Plains to Harold Bonness and Wilma Cox. She was names Carol Norris but went through life with her chosen nickname of Footie. Her parents divorced and when Wilma later married Bill Valentine, Footie took his last name as her own. After high school Footie married Kenny Grazier and they had two sons, Lance Daniel and Sean Lewis. After several years, Footie left Kenny to his wandering ways, met and married rancher and outfitter Billy Hill of Trout Creek. She and Billy made it through nine tumultuous years before calling it quits although they have remaind good friends. She met Dan Bates, an old high school boyfriend, whe married her and flew her to Alaska where they remained until he retired. They then returned to Plains where they have lived until Footie's fall and ultimate death on December 11. The most important things in Footie's life were family, friends and music. She leaves behind a large family, many friends, but we hope she is still playing music where she is now. Because she haped winter and loved spring, we are going to celebrate her love of family, friend and music with a celebration of life in Plains in April. This was published in the Sanders County Ledger Thursday, April 13, 2017, below: Carol "Footie" (Bonness) Bates, caring wife, mother, sister, nana and friend, died Dec. 21, 2016. Carol Bonness was born January 11, 1943 in Plains. She grew up in Plains, and attended Plains High School. Carol married Ken Grazier and had two sons: Lance and Sean. She was given the nickname "Footie" because she walked around barefoot all of time. Footie enjoyed nature, hummingbirds, her garden flowers, and creating art and music. She was a musician in The Silver River Band, where she sang, played guitar, and even made a record. She could cook enough for a small army, and always from scratch. She married Dan Bates (Plains) a lifelong friend, in 1994. The two spent three years in Alaska, and later moved back to Montana together. They enjoyed taking care of their garden, playing with their dog, and spending quality time together. Footie is survived by her husband, Dan Bates; sister, Patty Valentine; children, Sean, Lance, Roxie, Linda, Kitty, and Randy; grandchildren, Jason, Amanda, Amber, and Buddy, as well as many great-grandchildren. Please join us in honoring Footies memory Saturday April 22, 2017. Her celebration of life will be held at the VFW in Plains from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Please contact Amanda Moseley (Grazier) or Amber Scrupps (Grazier) if you have any questions.

Service Information Memorial Gathering Saturday April 22, 2017 1:00 PM Plains VFW