Rev. William "Bill" E. Tate

Rev. William “Bill” E. Tate, age 75, entered his heavenly home with his family by his side December 24th, 2022, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
Rev. Tate was born November 3, 1947, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents, William B. and Wilma D. Tate, and daughter-in-law Sarah Menees Tate. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marcia Houlette Tate; two children, Amy Michelle Tate and Craig William Tate; two grandchildren, Cooper James Tate and Aiden Liam Tate; brother-in-law, Tom Houlette (Debby); sister-in-law Ann Houlette, and nine nieces and nephews.
Rev. Tate was a Senior Pastor for 37 years in the United Methodist Church, spending his entire ministry as a member of the Memphis Annual Conference (now known as the Tennessee-West Kentucky Annual Conference), where he pastored over a dozen churches. A compassionate and dedicated leader in many aspects of the church, he served as the Conference Evangelism Chair, on the Board of Ordained Ministry, and for several years as a Camp Dean at Lakeshore Camp and Retreat Center. His ministry also included assisting in starting Hannah’s Hope Family Services, in which he served as Board Chair for 3 years. His heart for helping the least, the last, and the lost, did not stop there. During his tenure as Senior Pastor of Fulton First United Methodist Church, he was instrumental in starting the Good Samaritan Health Center, that is still serving the working poor today.
As passionate as Rev. Tate was about the Church, he was even more so about his family. He was a dedicated and loving husband, father, and grandfather. It can be said that nothing gave him more pride in life than the time spent with his family. He always made certain that his children’s cars were well maintained and washed, and attended every game, recital, and special event in the lives of both his children and grandchildren. The love he had for his wife Marcia was one to emulate for sure. For over 51 years, they developed an incredible marriage based off the amazing friendship that drove their love for each other. Rev. Tate will be remembered for his great good humor, his caring heart, and his compassionate soul. Indeed, he will be missed by many.
SERVICES: Rev. Tate’s funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, December 30, 2022, at Gadsden United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will be receiving friends on Thursday, December 29, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Arrington Funeral Directors and on Friday at Gadsden United Methodist Church from 11:00 a.m. until the service time at 1:00 p.m.
Pallbearers serving will be Matthew Houlette, Joel Houlette, Jay Pinnix, Mike Simmons, Rev. Bill Lawson, and Lonnie Leedy. Honorary pallbearers will be Rev. Tom Smith, Rev. Walter German, and Tom Houlette.
The family is requesting that any memorial contributions be directed to Lakeshore Camp & Retreat Center, 1458 Pilot Knob Road, Eva, TN 38333 or online www.lakeshorecamp.org/donate Hannah’s Hope, 5676 Stage Road, Memphis, TN 38134 or online www.hannahs-hope.org or to Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center, P.O Box 1242, Fulton, TN 42041 or online www.gs-center.org .
Arrington Funeral Directors 148 W. University Parkway Jackson, Tennessee 38305
731.668.1111 arringtonfuneralgroup.com