William Solomon Yates and his family were listed on the 1880 census of West Washington Township, Mercer Co., Mo. (#114) His father, William Yates, lived nearby. He purchased 80 acres in Mercer County, which he farmed for a time before selling out and moving to Southern Missouri.

Charles Yates described his father as a big, husky man, with a rudy complexion and light brown hair. He was about 5' 8" tall and weighed over 200 pounds. He had hazel colored eyes. William Solomon "Sod" Yates and his wife were of the Methodist faith. They took their family to church at the country school in Watonga, Okla.

Mrs. Anona Simpson remembered when her Uncle "Sod" lived on a farm near LaHarpe, Kans., when she was a child. "Charlie (your grandfather) and his brother Walter were young men. Cora and George Sparks lived at LaHarpe also. I know, I was in the grades. . .Uncle Sod was a carpenter, and he remodeled a four room dwelling into a small church for L. D. when he lived at LaHarpe. . .I always thought a lot of Uncle Sod". [My grandparents and Nellie Cudney also used the nickname "Sod".]

William Applegate Yates, a nephew, remembered visiting William Solomon Yates in Oklahoma, at Watonga, in 1906. "Uncle Solomon moved from near Princeton, Mo. to South Mo. in the fall, about 1890 or 1891 with 3 covered wagons. Girls drove 1 wagon. Wm. Billie one, Uncle and Aunt the third wagon. Moved in the fall. They stayed at our house all night". [William A. Yates, Denair, CA; letter 3 Mar 1966]

A granddaughter, Mrs. Nellie Davis, remembered that W. S. Yates moved to New Mexico, where he owned a farm and raised beans. At the time of her mother's obituary in 1921, Arabella Yates was residing in New Mexico. After a crop failed, they went to California and stayed for awhile with their son, Charles Yates.

William Solomon Yates was living at Pottersville, Howell Co., Mo. when his wife died. Later he went to Oklahoma and stayed at the 101 Ranch near Ponca City, with his son, Cliff Yates. After his death there, his body was taken back to Howell County, to be buried with his wife. Cliff Yates purchased a marker for the graves of William Solomon and Arabella (Swan) Yates.

From the Oklahoma death certificate of William Solomon Yates, we find that he died of "Pulmonary Tuberculosis". The death certificate states that he was buried at West Plains, Mo., but a son, Charles Yates, stated that he was buried at Pottersville.

William Solomon Yates bought a farm from William Allen Taber in Taney Co., Mo. [Interview with Argie Yates, Pico Rivera, CA, Nov 1964]. In 1918 at the time of his mother's death, he lived at Rome, Douglas County, Missouri.

William S. Yates died at Ponca City, Kay Co., Okla. Widowed. Born 29 Jan 1852 in Missouri. Occupation, farmer. Informant, E. C. Yates. Died 24 April 1924; removal to West Plains, Mo.; buried on 4-27-24. [Oklahoma Death Certificate]