SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - Laura Jane Wiltsey Bateman, 68, of Savannah, Georgia, wife of William “Billy” Bateman, died Friday morning, December 18, 2009, at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Born in Cuba, New York, she was a daughter of the late Howard Wiltsey and the late Leola Hamilton Wiltsey. Laura was a member of Congregation Mickve Israel and worked as a secretary and personnel director at the local hospital in Cuba, New York. She was a member of the Rosh Chodesh Club at Congregation Mickve Israel. Laura was predeceased in death by three brothers.

Surviving are her husband, William “Billy” Bateman of Savannah, Georgia; one daughter, Kathy Wooster and her husband, Steve, of Lakeworth, Florida; two sons, Chris Ward and his wife, Martha, of Sebring, Florida, and Lance Burlingame and his wife Marlene, of Henrietta, New York; one step-daughter, Barbara Ann Adler of Griffin, Georgia; three step-sons, William “Bill” Bateman, Jr. and his wife, Jackie, of Southern Pines, North Carolina, Joseph “Joe” Bateman and his wife, Lynn, of Stuart, Florida, and Ian H. Bateman and his wife, Shannon, of Seven Lakes West, North Carolina, and fifteen grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock Sunday at Gamble Funeral Service, 410 Stephenson Avenue.

The funeral service will be held at 1 o'clock Monday afternoon at the graveside, Bonaventure Cemetery, conducted by Rabbi Arnold Mark Belzer.

The family will receive friends following the graveside service at Congregation Mickve Israel.

Remembrances:  Congregation Mickve Israel – Post Office Box 816, Savannah, Georgia 31402-0816.