of Harrison, AR
December 14, 1927 - February 18, 2019
Willis Ray Tate passed away on Monday, February 18, 2019, at Mount Vista Health and Rehabilitation Center in Harrison, at the age of 91. Willis was born on December 14, 1927, in his grandmother's hotel in Amagon, AR, to Chester and Gladys (Balch) Tate. He grew up in Newport, AR, where he graduated from Newport High School. Willis served one year in the Air Force but because he was the oldest child in the family and his family needed him to work on the farm, the Air Force gave him an honorable discharge. Willis also attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro for one year.
On November 17, 1952, Willis married his sweetheart, Noble Faye Kimes, of Harrison. Willis worked for 31 years for Bankers Life and Casualty. He loved selling insurance and always enjoyed meeting new people. Willis never met a stranger wherever he went traveling the state of Arkansas. Willis was a member for 63 years at Eagle Heights Baptist Church. He served as a Gideon for many years distributing Bibles in nursing homes, schools, and hospitals. Willis loved the Razorbacks! One could always see him wearing his Hog caps, sweatshirts, and T-shirts. He never missed a game on television and always showed his support no matter if the season consisted of winning or losing. After retiring from the insurance business, Willis and Noble Faye built and ran Creekwood Apartments in Harrison. They loved their tenants and always treated them as family members. When Noble Faye died in 1992, Willis married another incredible woman, Ruth Goodwin, on May 22, 1993. Willis and Ruth continued running Creekwood Apartments. They enjoyed trips to the lake and spending time with their family.
Willis is survived by his wife, Ruth; his three children, Susan Virnig (James) of Harrison, Debbie Finkbeiner (Oscar) of Little Rock, and Bill Tate (Belinda) of Conway; his sister, Betty Hoffie (Ken) of Harrison; and his sisters-in-law, Essie Tate of Harrison and Carol Tate of Indiana. Willis is also survived by two stepsons, Roy Goodwin (Jody) and David Goodwin (Kathy); and two stepdaughters, Diane Lyman and Sandy Vanderzanden. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Sarah, Matt, and Zach Virnig, Tate Finkbeiner of Benton, Becca Wright of Bryant, and Melia Hill and Mallory Lefler of Conway. Willis is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren; twenty-three step-grandchildren; thirty step-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren. Willis was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Gladys Tate; his brothers, Jim and Thomas Tate; his sister, Rita Czech; and his wife, Noble Faye Tate.
Visitation was 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Friday, February 22, 2019, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home.
Funeral service was 10:00 AM, Saturday, February 23 , 2019, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home, with Bro. Glenn Crenshaw officiating.
Interment was in Maplewood Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Matt and Zach Virnig, Tate Finkbeiner, Zackery Hill, Chance Lefler, Randy Wright, David Goodwin and Kevin Trock.
Honorary pallbearers were Tom and Dorothy Dinean, his granddaughters, and the nursing staff at Mount Vista E Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Eagle Heights Baptist Church Building Fund, 703 E. Walters Avenue, Harrison, AR 72601.
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8 Condolence(s)
Bobbie Ron Tammy & Douglas Tate
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Thinking of all of you today. You are in our prayers.
Bob Tate
Friday, February 22, 2019
I was sad to hear of the passing of my cousin Willis Ray. I have nothing but fond memories of us growing up together....as we had a lot of fun and laughs over the years. He will be missed. My deepest condolences goes out to the family!
Bobby Charles Tate
Dennis and Carol (Cecil ) Copeland
Friday, February 22, 2019
Susan, Debbie, Billy and Families,
Dennis and I are sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He certainly lived a long good life. He was part of a great and wonderful generation. Their Legacy is their Family.
Our goal now should be To Live To Make Them Proud and to Bring Them Honor.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers during your time of need.
Continue to look Upward. God will give you everything that you will need.
Dennis and Carol Copeland
Bobby and Becky Howard
Thursday, February 21, 2019
We are so very sorry for your loss of Mr Tate. We hold fond memories of Mr and Mrs Tate. As a young married couple we lived in Creekwood Apts. for a couple of years til Bobby graduated School of the Ozarks. Sweetest people ever! During the Christmas time we would come home to our apartment with a basket of fruit from the Tates inside our apt. After we left and Bobby became the North Arkansas College girls coach we reconnected again with the Tate’s. They let several of our girls rent apts from them. We knew these out of town girls would be well taken care of my Mr and Mrs Tate. It has been our pleasure in knowing these 2 special personal from our community. We are so saddened to hear of Mr Tate’s passing. Keeping your family in our prayers
Tammy Brown
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Sorry to hear of uncle Willis’ passing. He was such a kind Uncle and always wanted a hug. He was a fine Christian man and I’m sure there is a great reunion in heaven. Sending our love and prayers!!! Charles Ray & Bobbie Tate family. Children: Ron, Tammy and Doug
Joe & Lynelle Thompson
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
We are so very sorry to hear about our dear friend. You are in our hearts and prayers.
Love, Joe, Lynelle & Kelli Jo
Paul E. Jackson, Sr.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Linda and I are so sad to hear of Mr. Tate's passing, but we all take comfort in knowing he is in a much better place and we will all be together again. My last visit with him was in August, when I brought him the news of Jack Howell's homegoing.
I have fond memories of the Tate family, and especially Mr. Tate (a few years ago, he said I could call him Willis - I told him that to me, he would always be "Mr. Tate"). I don't think I've ever seen that man without a smile on his face.
Several years after our family left Harrison, my dad and I drove from St. Louis to Bull Shoals to do a little fishing. We went into Harrison to get groceries and supplies, and headed back on Highway 7. I noticed a car behind us getting very close, then flashing its headlights and sounding the horn. Not knowing what to expect, we pulled over. Out jumped Mr. Tate with a grin and a big hug for both of us. I will never forget how happy he was to see us.
Ruth, Susan, Debbie, Bill...our prayers are with you; we've both been down this road. It's tough to say goodbye to dads, especially when they were of the kind of character as all of ours. I can visualize your dad, Linda's and mine sitting together with a cup of coffee right now.
Let's be thankful for the kind of people we've had in our lives. God bless you all.
Casey Smith