Dr. William Burns Yates

DR. WILLIAM BURNS YATES, 86

Dr. of Optometry

LAKELAND - Lifelong Florida resident, Dr. William Burns Yates passed away Sunday, February 24, 2008 while under Hospice care in Jupiter, Florida.

Dr. Yates was born December 19, 1921 in Bowden, Georgia and moved to Lakeland with his mother and father while still an infant. Dr. Yates graduated from Lakeland High School in 1941 where he played Dreadnought football. Upon graduation, he attended the University of Florida on a football scholarship until the outbreak WW II. After the outbreak of WW II, Burns joined the USAF and served until the end of the war. After the war ended, he returned to college and became a Dr. of Optometry. After graduation, he again joined the USAF and was stationed at McDill AFB in Tampa, Florida during the Korean War. After his second tour in the USAF, he returned to Lakeland where he set up his practice in Optometry. Dr. Yates also had a small Angus ranch in Medulla and had a road (Yates Road) named after him. Dr. Yates was a member of the Lakeland Lions Club and American Legion. He was also an avid outdoorsman whose favorite pastime was fishing. After retirement, he spent much of his time fishing and hiking in Steinhatchee, Florida.

Dr. Yates was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years Dorothy Yates, a daughter Barbara Yates, his brother Jack Yates and his mother and father Mr. And Mrs. B. B. Yates. Dr. Yates is survived by his son, Thomas and his wife Kathleen Cunningham of Jupiter; grandchildren, Thomas Cunningham III and Danielle Brancato, and his great grandchildren, Julian Cunningham, Dylan Brancato and Ethan Brancato.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes, Dukes-Steen Chapel, Lakeland.