| Billy Bates | |
| Fullname: | William Henry Bates |
| Birth Date: | 13 January 1922 |
| Birth Place: | Eaton Bray, England |
| Death Date: | August 1997 (aged 75) |
| Death Place: | Luton, England |
| Position: | Winger |
| Clubs1: | Eaton Bray |
| Clubs2: | Waterlows |
| Years3: | 1941–1948 |
| Clubs3: | Luton Town |
| Caps3: | 1 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Clubs4: | Chelmsford City |
| Years5: | 1948–1949 |
| Clubs5: | Watford |
| Caps5: | 13 |
| Goals5: | 1 |
| Years6: | 1949–1950 |
| Clubs6: | Gillingham |
| Caps6: | 6 |
| Goals6: | 0 |
| Clubs7: | Dunstable Town |
William Henry Bates (13 January 1922 — August 1997) was an English footballer who played as a winger.
Bates began his career playing for local clubs Eaton Bray and Waterlows,[1] [2] before signing for Luton Town. Bates made one first team appearance for Luton, playing in a 2–0 defeat against Millwall on 7 October 1946. After a spell at Chelmsford City,[3] Bates joined Watford in time for the 1948–49 Football League season, making 13 league appearances, scoring once. Following his departure from Watford, Bates played for Gillingham and Dunstable Town.[1]