Cover photo for Lt. Col William Marshall Pate, Jr.'s Obituary
Lt. Col William Marshall Pate, Jr. Profile Photo
1935 Lt. Col William 2020

Lt. Col William Marshall Pate, Jr.

February 25, 1935 — December 2, 2020

Lt. Col William Marshall “Bill”  “PaPa” Pate Jr. was born on February 25, 1935 to William Marshall Pate Sr. and Lola Newel Stanley Pate.  William married Berna Dean “Deana” Barfield Pate on November 19, 1955, she proceeded him to Heaven on May 31, 2020. 

They are survived by their 3 children; Son, William Allen “Bill” Pate and wife Deborah Jean Pate , daughter Charlotte Newell Pate Piontek and husband Carl Heinz Piontek, and daughter Tammy Rae Pate Powell and son-in-law Louis Wayne Powell. His Brother Jackie Dale Pate and Sister-in-law Betty Jo Crow Pate (deceased).  He is survived by his Sister, Donna Jean Pate Burge, Brother Donald Dean Pate, Step-Brother’s Raymond Junior Taylor and Coy Taylor. Step-Sister’s Doris Taylor Dugan and Gladys Taylor Langford. Sister-in-law Bertha Estelle Barfield Rhodes and Howard “Dusty” Rhoades (deceased). Brother-in-law William Barfield and wife Pearl Barfield.   William Pate graduated from Kaufman High School in 1954.

William joined the State of Texas National Guard in the late ‘50s and he would serve his country for over 30 years.   Mr. Pate started his military career as an enlisted soldier, earning the rank of Sargent.  He was called up to Active duty during the Cuban Missile Crises.  When it was over, instead of coming home, he decided to go to Officer Candidate School in Georgia, while his wife stayed a home with the kids. After he graduated as an officer, he held many positions in the National Guard.   

He continued his education and graduated in 1973 from The Command and General Staff College earning a Master of Military Science. He would downplay the importance of this degree to us, but he was trained on nuclear warfare and held a level of clearance that only a few people held at that time.   After holding several battalion commands, he commuted to Austin for work and was in charge of the State of Texas Recruiting Command for several years.  He was on active duty during this time. He retired after 30 years of service to our country as a Lt. Colonel.

Concurrent with his military service, Mr. Pate also spent over 30 years working at Collins Radio/Rockwell International, where he worked in the machine shop and became active in the Labor Movement.  Bill Pate, as he was called there, worked hard for better working conditions and better benefits.  He became President of the labor union, AFL-CIO 747 in 1965-69 and negotiated with management to provide health insurance to employees, life insurance, breaks, equal pay, decreasing segregation and other quality of work issues. Because of his efforts many, many other companies followed with enhancing their benefits for employees.

There were always children at the Pate house.   PaPa Pate is survived by multiple Grand Children that he dearly loved including: William Jarrod (BJ) Pate and wife Marti Pate, Marshall Lehland Collier Pate and Rose Hanford, Erin Renee Cranford,  Eric Christopher Piontek and Alison Nichole Doran, Ransom Roc Simmons and Jana Daneal Morgan, Kimberlee Fern Maldonado, Cyndi Ann Maldonado Stewart, Garrett Steven Stewart, Colten Wayne Powell, Rachael Lynn Powell and Joshua Boone, John Edward Robinson and Kayla Hines, Alvin Bryan Carlton, Brooke Michelle Carlton and Chelsea Renee Bowne and Jason Ott. 

His beloved Great grandchildren include: Landon Jade Pate, Carson Evan Pate, Bryan Michael Cervantes, Jackson Marshall Pate, Tyler Pierce Cranford, Brylee Briane Simmons, Bryson Michael Fuentes, Marley Christine Powell, Waylon Andrew Boon, Tanner Garrett Stewart, Emery Ann Stewart, Kyler Matthew Cates, Jayce Riley Ott, Isabella Sanchez, Alexa Marie Sanchez, Willow Robinson and Julius James Robinson along with many nieces, nephews and dearly loved bonus grandchildren.

His Grandchildren waiting on him in heaven are Brandon Pate Simmons, Travis Jimmy Powell, Randy Lee Powell and Brandon James Robinson.


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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Sunday, December 6, 2020

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Parker-Ashworth Funeral Home

2217 S Washington St, Kaufman, TX 75142

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Graveside Service

Monday, December 7, 2020

1:00 - 1:30 pm

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