CAROL N. 'FOOTIE' BATES, 73

She was born on Jan. 11, 1943, at home in Plains to Harold Bonness and Wilma Cox. She was named 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 remained good friends.

She met Dan Bates, an old high school boyfriend, who 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 Dec. 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 hated winter and loved spring, we are going to celebrate her love of family, friends and music with a celebration of life in Plains in April.