1941 – 2012

EAST WILTON — William Thomas Yates was born in Elyria, Ohio, to John Root Yates and Madelyn Hart Yates on Feb. 24, 1941. Educated in Elyria and LaGrange schools, he completed an undergraduate degree in chemistry-zoology at Oberlin College in 1963 and an M.D. degree from the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, in 1967.

He concluded a rotating internship at Hennepin County Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn., before serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve as a lieutenant in the Medical Corps.

In May 1969, he married Margaret Bandlow, a Navy nurse, at Virginia Beach, Va. After finishing the anesthesia support program at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Va., Bill and Meg moved to Portsmouth, N.H., where he served one year at the Naval Hospital. They then moved to the University of Iowa for a residency in internal medicine, and in 1975 Bill completed an OB/GYN residency at Akron General Medical Center.

Bill and Meg moved their two children to Wilton in 1975 to open the first OB/GYN practice in Franklin County. He practiced in the area until his retirement in 2003, delivering more than 2,500 babies. Bill has enjoyed recent messages from patients from his OB/GYN practice of almost 30 years.

Family was a major focus of Bill’s life and activities. “Some would say that eight children are too many, but for Meg and me, it was just right.” He was a frequent spectator at SAD 9 sports meets, particularly cross-country running and skiing, basketball, football and track, as well as many musical events.

He was a dedicated hiker, cyclist and competitive runner, who shared these passions with his children. Maine was an ideal environment for those outdoor experiences. Over the years, competitions drew them to many sites across the U.S.

In recent years, Bill enjoyed being part of a relay team, the “Old Gold” or “Three Hundred Birthdays” group that participated in the Portland Marathon and the Vermont City Marathon for the last eight years. Bill’s latest race, the July Summer Fest 5K in Farmington, took place just before he was diagnosed with bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) in August.

His family will miss this hardworking, creative and adventurous man who embraced his roles as husband, father and friend with love and generosity. We will continue to be inspired by his energy and enthusiasm.

He is missed by his siblings, Judy Fisher of Santa Rosa, Calif., Kathy Phillips of Phippsburg and John Yates of Los Angeles, Calif. He will be remembered with love and gratitude by his wife of 43 years, Meg; and daughters, Sarah, Leah (Sr. Mary Louise Concepta), Anna Kvaitchadze, Martha Randall, Elena Kraus and Rachel (Sr. Mariae Agnus Dei); and sons, Ben of Tucson, Ariz., and Paul of Morrisville, N.C.; granddaughter, Hailee Randall; and grandsons, Jeiran and Ronin Kvaitchadze, James and Blaise Randall, and John Kraus will know his gifts by the family’s fond memories.

Thank you to the many who have been, by their presence, gifts and messages, supportive to Bill and his family over recent months.

Tributes and condolences may be shared with his family on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.

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