The family of Bill Bateman knew that he had served in the U.S. Marines during World War II, but they did not know until after he died Monday at age 96 that he had received a Bronze Star for heroism, News Channel 8 reported. Discovery of his heroism citation means that Bateman, who owned McDonalds franchises in Lakeland and Bartow, will be buried with full military honors.

Source: News Channel 8

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Barry Friedman founded Lkldnow.com in 2015 as the culmination of a career in print and digital journalism. Since 1982, he has used the tools of reporting, editing and content curation to help people in Lakeland understand their community better.