William Thomas "Bud" Tate

Mr. William Thomas “Bud” Tate, age 81, of Mt. Airy, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, June 30, 2018.  He was born in Surry County on May 23, 1937, to James Monroe “Doc” and Bessie Edwards Tate.  Mr. Tate was retired from L. S. Starrett and really enjoyed his current employment at Flat Rock Recycling Center.  He deeply loved his “faith, family and fishing”.  Among the many who will always cherish his memory is his devoted wife of nearly 63 years, Betty McMillian Tate; their children, Sheila Boyd, Karen Pruitt and husband Ernie, Cindy Franklin, Darrell Tate and wife Tina, Darren Tate and wife Stephanie, and Shannon Phipps and husband Chad; his precious grandchildren, Chris Vaughn, Adam Vaughn and wife April, Ashley Reece and husband Brian, Michael Boyd, Amber Bowman and husband Blake, Emily Canosa and husband Adam, Evan Pruitt, Mason Franklin, Andrew Tate and wife Jade, Joshua Tate and wife Courtney, Daniel Tate and wife Taylor, Eli Tate, Bailee Newsome, Isaac Phipps, and Adison Phipps; nine adored great grandchildren, and a brother and sister-in-law, J. C. and Nancy Tate.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Tate was preceded in death by sisters, Vernie Edwards and Leota Edwards, and sons-in-law, Clark Boyd and Greg Franklin.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, July 2, 2018, at Highland Park Baptist Church by Dr. Darrell Tate.  Burial will follow in Peoples Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the church Monday from 12:30 until the time of the service.  The family would like to express a special thank you to Yadkin Valley Home Health, and Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care for the exceptional care given to Mr. Tate.