COATS-Dr. William C., Jr.., D.D.S., Col. (Ret.) US Army, Jacksonville, AL. passed away Thurs., 12/27/07 at his residence. Dr Coats attended Creighton University College of Arts and Sciences and Creighton University School of Dentistry. Upon graduation in 1956 he entered the US Army Dental Corps. He served as a Dental Officer in the 82nd Airborne, Ft. Bragg, NC; as a Dental Surgeon, Headquarters, First Group Artillery, Korea; as a Dental Surgeon, Headquarters, US Army Chemical, Biological and Radiological Center, Ft. Dietrick, MD; as Deputy Dental Surgeon and also Acting Dental Surgeon, Headquarters Third Army, Ft. McPherson, GA; as Commander and Director of Dental Activities, Headquarters, Berlin Brigade and US Army Hospital, Berlin, Germany; as Deputy Commander and Director of Dental Education, US Army Dental Unit and US Army Hospital, Ft. Ord, CA; Commander and Director of Dental Activities, US Army Dental Unit and US Army Hospital, Ft. McClellan, AL. During the last three years of his assignment at Fort McClellan he was Acting Chief of Staff, Headquarters for the post; Colonel Coats was appointed as the Dental Member of the US Army Health Services Command, Inspector General’s Inspection Team whose duties were to inspect all US Army Medical, Dental and Veterinary Services in the United States. Colonel Coats attended both the US Army Medical Field Service School Basic and Advance Training courses, Ft. Sam Houston, TX; The Advanced Dental Training and Educational Course, US Army Institute of Dental Research, Walter Reed Army Training Center, Washington, D.C. and the US Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, KS. His awards included The Legion of Merit, The Meritorious Service Medal, The Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, The Army of Occupation Medal (Berlin), Korean National Defense Service Medal and the American Defense Service Medal. He retired after 27 years of active duty in October 1980. Dr. Coats was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Annabell; and his parents, William C. Coats and Jenny C. (Leonardo) Coats. He is survived by his wife, Faye Richey Coats, Jacksonville, AL; stepsons, Matthew Cromer and wife, Celeste, Jeffrey Cromer and wife, Deidra, Anniston, AL; stepdaughter Meghan R. Cromer, Jacksonville, AL; 3 grandchildren, Juddson, Jacob and Madyson Cromer, Anniston, AL; sister, Barbara J. Walters and husband Ernest S. Walters, Jr., Becida, MN. Visitation was held 12/29/07 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Anniston, AL. A Vigil Service will be held Thurs., 7 PM, West Center Chapel. Services Fri., 9:30 AM, West Center Chapel to St. Gerald Catholic Church, 96th & “Q” at 10 AM. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery with full military honors by Benson V.F.W. Post 2503. Memorials may be directed to the family for a scholarship fund to be established in Dr. Coats’ name at Creighton University. Visitation from 3 PM Thurs. at the West Center Chapel.
HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN-DWORAK-CUTLER WEST CENTER CHAPEL 78th & West Center 391-3900
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