William Lombard Yates, a longtime resident of Rockwell, North Carolina, died on September 29, 2026, at the age of 87. His obituary describes a life centered on family, work, outdoor interests and the friendships he developed over the years.
Yates was born in Burke County, North Carolina, on July 26, 1939. He later built his life in the Rockwell area, worked for the Rowan County ABC Board and remained closely connected with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Background: Who Was William Lombard Yates?
William Lombard Yates was a Rockwell, North Carolina, resident who worked as a clerk for the Rowan County ABC Board. Outside of his professional life, his obituary highlights fishing, deer hunting, motorcycle riding and spending time with his family among the activities that brought him enjoyment.
He was born to the late William Yates and Dorothy Lombard Yates in Burke County. According to the published obituary, he remained in North Carolina throughout his life and developed strong family ties that continued across several generations.
Latest Update: October 3, 2026
As of October 3, 2026, William Lombard Yates’ death is confirmed by his funeral-home obituary. Powles Staton Funeral Home reports that he died Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House in Salisbury, North Carolina. He was 87.
His obituary states that a visitation was held Friday, October 2, from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Powles Staton Funeral Home in Rockwell. The family requested memorial donations to Shriners Children’s Hospital instead of flowers.
The published obituary does not identify a cause of death. Accordingly, no specific medical condition or other cause should be attributed to his passing without an additional verified source.
Family and Early Life
William Lombard Yates was born on July 26, 1939, in Burke County, North Carolina. His parents were William Yates and Dorothy Lombard Yates, both of whom preceded him in death.
Family was an important part of his life. The obituary describes his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as surviving members of his family, while also identifying a son and sister who had died before him.
Marriage and Wife
William was married to Joan Yates. The couple married on October 18, 1958, and remained together for decades.
Joan survives him. Their long marriage formed an important part of the family life described in William’s obituary.
Children
William and Joan’s surviving children include Annette Reavis and Michael Yates.
The obituary also remembers their son Billy Yates, who died before William. Billy is specifically listed among William’s predeceased family members.
Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren
William is survived by four grandchildren: Anna Lomax, Emily Yates, Brady Reavis and Mason Yates.
His four great-grandchildren are Alden Lomax, Noah Lomax, Beau Reavis and Vivian Reavis. The obituary identifies their names as part of the family’s surviving generations.
Career Path
William worked as a clerk for the Rowan County ABC Board. His professional career was part of his connection to the Rowan County community.
The published obituary does not provide a detailed employment history beyond his work with the Rowan County ABC Board, so additional positions or career claims have not been added here.
Interests and Hobbies
Outside of work, William enjoyed several outdoor and recreational activities. His obituary describes him as an avid fisherman and deer hunter.
He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle with friends. Spending time with his family was another important part of his life, and his obituary describes family time as one of his favorite ways to spend his days.
Age and Date of Birth
William Lombard Yates was born July 26, 1939, and died September 29, 2026. He was 87 years old at the time of his death.
Parents and Siblings
His parents were William Yates and Dorothy Lombard Yates. Both were deceased before William’s passing.
William’s sister Dottie Kearns also preceded him in death. These details are included in the funeral-home obituary and are repeated in other obituary records.
Cause of Death
The official obituary confirms that William died at Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House in Salisbury, North Carolina, but it does not state his cause of death.
Because the funeral-home notice does not provide a medical cause, it would be inappropriate to speculate about what caused his death. Any future statement about the cause should come from the family, funeral home or another reliable primary source.
Funeral and Visitation Information
Friends and relatives were invited to visitation on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Powles Staton Funeral Home in Rockwell, North Carolina.
The funeral home is located at 913 W. Main St., Rockwell, NC 28138. Powles Staton Funeral Home is assisting the Yates family with arrangements.
Memorial Donations
Instead of flowers, William and his family requested memorial donations to Shriners Children’s Hospital in his honor.
The request is included in the published funeral-home obituary.
Quick Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Lombard Yates |
| Born | July 26, 1939 |
| Birthplace | Burke County, North Carolina |
| Died | September 29, 2026 |
| Age | 87 |
| Residence | Rockwell, North Carolina |
| Place of Death | Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House, Salisbury, North Carolina |
| Wife | Joan Yates |
| Marriage | October 18, 1958 |
| Occupation | Clerk, Rowan County ABC Board |
| Surviving Children | Annette Reavis and Michael Yates |
| Grandchildren | Anna Lomax, Emily Yates, Brady Reavis and Mason Yates |
| Great-Grandchildren | Alden Lomax, Noah Lomax, Beau Reavis and Vivian Reavis |
| Predeceased Family | Son Billy Yates and sister Dottie Kearns |
| Visitation | October 2, 2026, 4:30–6 p.m., Powles Staton Funeral Home |
| Memorial Request | Shriners Children’s Hospital |
Reader Questions
Who was William Lombard Yates?
William Lombard Yates was a Rockwell, North Carolina, resident who worked as a clerk for the Rowan County ABC Board. He was also known for his love of fishing, deer hunting, motorcycles and family time.
When did William Lombard Yates die?
William Lombard Yates died on September 29, 2026. He was 87 years old.
How old was William Lombard Yates?
He was 87 years old when he died. His date of birth was July 26, 1939.
Where was William Lombard Yates from?
William was born in Burke County, North Carolina, and later lived in Rockwell. His obituary identifies Rockwell as his residence at the time of his death.
Who was William Lombard Yates’ wife?
His wife was Joan Yates. They married on October 18, 1958, and were married for more than six decades.
Who were William Lombard Yates’ children?
His surviving children are Annette Reavis and Michael Yates. His son Billy Yates preceded him in death.
What was William Lombard Yates’ cause of death?
The published obituary does not state a cause of death. It confirms that he died at Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House in Salisbury, North Carolina, but provides no further medical explanation.
Where was William Lombard Yates’ visitation held?
Visitation was scheduled for October 2, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Powles Staton Funeral Home in Rockwell, North Carolina.
What memorial donation did the family request?
The family requested donations to Shriners Children’s Hospital instead of flowers. The request was made in William’s memory.
Wrap-Up
William Lombard Yates’ obituary remembers an 87-year-old Rockwell man whose life included decades of marriage, work with the Rowan County ABC Board and close relationships with several generations of family. He was also an avid fisherman and deer hunter who enjoyed riding his motorcycle with friends.
He is survived by his wife Joan, children Annette and Michael, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His family chose to honor his memory by requesting donations to Shriners Children’s Hospital rather than flowers.
William’s published obituary provides the essential details of his life, family and arrangements while leaving his cause of death undisclosed. Those details should remain undisclosed unless the family or another authoritative source provides additional information.
