Brokenhearted Kelly Jo Bates Breaks Silence Over Papa Bill’s Passing
By
John Witiw
Breaking News Bringing Up Bates News Reality TV UPtv
Kelly Jo Bates - YouTube
Kelly Jo Bates of Bringing Up Bates fame recently opened up about a recent loss that has impacted the family, the passing of beloved family patriarch, “Papa Bill” Bates. Taking to social media, she talked about the devastating news in a lengthy post, touching on Papa Bill’s final days. Fans have also been sharing their own condolences and other words of comfort with the family.
The Bringing Up Bates Star Shared The Heartbreaking News With Fans On Social Media
Bringing Up Bates is an Up TV series that revolves around Gil and Kelly Jo Bates and their family. This includes their 19 children, in addition to at least 30 grandchilren.
The show originally ran from 2015 to 2021, lasting ten seasons. Prior to the Up TV series, fans previously saw the family in their own 2012 TLC series, United Bates of America.
Kelly Jo Bates Youtube
Kelly Jo Bates – Youtube
Recently, Kelly Jo took to Instagram to break her silence over a heartbreaking loss for the family. Gil’s father, Bill Bates, affectionately known as “Papa Bill,” had passed away.
Bill’s passing was confirmed by the McDougald Funeral Home. As the website noted, “William Gilvin ‘Bill’ Bates, 86, of Honea Path, SC, passed away peacefully at the Rainey Hospice House on May 13, 2025.”
Since then, Kelly Jo has also opened up about the news in a post on social media. Taking to Instagram, she wrote, “I’ve put off making this post for several days. My heart was so broken that it just seemed too difficult to even write out the words that Papa Bill has passed away.”
“It’s almost impossible to imagine our farm visits without Papa Bill’s laughter & smiles to welcome us. Today, my sons carried his coffin out of the church, and I felt like a huge part of me went out right along side of him.”
Kelly Jo Touched On What It Was Like Being With Papa Bill During His Final Year
“My last year has been spent on road trips back and forth to the farm to help with Papa, making some of the best memories I could’ve ever hoped to have. When I sat down at the graveside this afternoon, sweet Mama Jane leaned over to thank me, and I broke down crying because I realized I just didn’t want those days of caring for Papa to end. How I wish I could have one more day to sit by him!”
Kelly Jo also touched on all of the thing she would miss about her father-in-law. She noted, “The stories he used to tell, the wise advice he often gave, the talks on the porch we shared will all ring through my mind for the rest of my life. Papa is unforgettable, and he has left us with a huge treasure of wisdom & memories & love.”
“Though I feel like we’ve lost him way before we were ready, I know that we were so very blessed to have had such a hero in our lives. We grieve deeply, but we’re also deeply filled with gratitude for him.”
As she concluded the post, Kelly Jo also thanked fans for their support and asked for prayers for her mother-in-law. As she wrote, “Thank each of you for the outpouring of comments & love that you have extended to our family. Please continue to pray for Mama Jane.”
Fans Also Took To The Comments To Share How Happy They Were To ‘Meet’ Papa Bill Through The Show
The carousel post was filled with different photos of “Papa Bill.” He could be seen with his wife, different members of his family, and even giving his daughter-in-law a warm embrace.
Fans took to the comments to share their own condolences over the news. A few even suggested various poems and Bible verses to the family as words of comfort.
Papa Bill dedication – Instagram
Others also shared that they were happy to have gotten to know him through the show. Some comments included:
“Thank you for sharing Papa Bill with us…he became our Papa Bill too! What a precious soul. We do not grieve like those who have no hope…yet we grieve. Prayers for you all!”
“This is heartbreaking. His smile shows peace in knowing where he’s headed. Prayers ascending for you all especially Mama Jane. 1 Thessalonians 4:17”
“So very sorry for your loss. When you find a moment, please read the poem ‘When tomorrow starts without me’ by David M Romano. It is one my father used to read as Chaplin of our volunteer fire dept and is beautiful. Prayers to your entire family.”
Did you watch “Papa Bill” on Bringing Up Bates? Make sure you come back to TV Shows Ace for all the latest reality TV and celebrity news.
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