William Earl Pate

Graveside services for Mr. William Earl Pate, 92, of Avinger, Texas will be held at Mims Chapel Cemetery on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 10:00AM with the Honorable Judge Leward LaFleur officiating and Teresa Vincent speaking under the direction of Haggard Funeral Home. A time of visitation will be held from 5-7PM on Monday, August 30, 2021 in the Capt. Wm. Perry Chapel of Haggard Funeral Home.

William Earl Pate was born January 07, 1929 in Greenwood, Mississippi to Stanford Pate and Jewel Pate Saunders. He passed away Friday, August 27, 2021 in Bossier City, Louisiana with his girls, Lena Pope and Odell Bushnell by his side.

William Earl was born and raised in Mississippi. As a young man he moved to Louisiana where he met the love of his life, Dorothy. They married in Bossier City, Louisiana where they lived prior to their move to Texas. William Earl was a Merchant Marine and a retired truck driver.

Uncle Pate, as he was best known, had a big personality. He often had a smile on his face and a story to tell. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Most days he and his friends would gather at the local café where no doubt, some of the biggest and best fish tales were told. Uncle Pate was an avid fisherman, knew Lake O’ the Pines better than most, and at age 92, he couldn’t be kept from doing what he loved most. In addition to fishing, he enjoyed shooting pool with friends. When he wasn’t fishing or shooting pool, Uncle Pate had another favorite pastime, getting Lena riled up! He knew just the right words to say at just the right moment to get Lena worked up. When he’d get Lena to just the right moment, he’d give Odell a wink, a smile would appear, and his eyes would sparkle.

Preceding William Earl in death were his parents, Stanford David Pate and Jewel Pate Saunders; his beloved wife of 37 years, Dorothy Pate; best friend and fishing buddy, Larry Pope; close friend, Loretta Smiley; brother, Whimpy Pate; and sister, Janie.

He is survived by his girls, Lena Pope and Odell Bushnell; nieces, Kandy Bickhart, Cindy Collins, and Kristy Staubach; nephews, Trace Pate, Danny Pate, and Mike Pate, as well as host of extended family and friends.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Brett Bushnell, Timothy “T-Cot” Bushnell, J.R. Ashley, Rick Dunn, Ronnie Johnson, and Stanley Alexander.

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