Wilson Tate

Wilson F. Tate PORTSMOUTH - Wilson "Bill" Ferebee Tate, 89, went to be with the Lord Jan. 16, 2009. He was born in Casper, Wyo., where his family was homesteaders under a post World War I land grant program. The family returned to Blackwater, Va., where he was raised. In 1938, he joined the Army as a private earning $25 per month. He was a World War II veteran and served in the South Pacific. He retired from the Air Force Reserve as a major. He also retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was a graduate of Virginia Tech. Bill loved his family, church and friends. He could strike up a conversation with anyone. A longtime member of Pinecrest Baptist Church, he served as a deacon for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel M. and Hagar Ives Tate and two brothers, Edward L. and Bedford B. "Buck" Tate. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 ½ years, Eleanor; two daughters, Jane W. Tate of Portsmouth and Beth Poitras and husband Maurice of Yorktown; two sons, Daniel E. Tate and wife Pam and Thomas R. Tate of Chesapeake; eight grandchildren, Alexandra, Charles, Kelly, Jordan and Daniel Tate of Chesapeake and Paul, Emma and Gabriel Poitras of Yorktown; and many loving nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Pinecrest Baptist Church by the Rev. Tom Potter. The family will receive friends in Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, Monday from 7 to 8 p.m. The family would like to extend thanks to his compassionate caregivers of the past several months, Brenda, Laurel, Paulette and Susie. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to the Debt Retirement Fund at Pinecrest Baptist Church. www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com.