William Robert 'Bobby' Pate

He was a native of Mars Hill and a son of the late Willie Mae Robinson and the late Edie Roosevelt Pate, Sr.  He was also preceded in death by a brother, David Pate.

Mr. Pate was a US Navy veteran and was retired from the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Section after 31 years
diligent service.  He was a Past Master of Hominy Lodge #491, A.F. & A.M., a brother of Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, and a member of York Rite (Asheville Chapter), Oasis Temple, Retired Government Employees Association, the DMV Enforcement Retirees Association, SEANC, and the NC Retired Peace Officers Association.

Bobby was a loving husband, father, son, brother, “Pup-Paw”, grandfather, son-in-law and friend.  He enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening and playing at Lake James.

He is leaving behind an adoring wife of 32 years, Julia “Judy” Carson Pate;  a dedicated daughter, Tracie Pate Harwood and her husband Ricky Harwood;  two granddaughters, Christi and Jessica Harwood;  a sister, Connie Pate Klinger of Granite Falls;  a brother, Eddie Pate of Lincolnton;  his mother-in-law, Opal Carson of Barnardsville;  his step-mother, Shirley H. Lawing of Lincolnton;  an aunt, Marie Maynard;  his faithful canine companion, Cain;   several cousins and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm Monday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Revs. G.W. Jameson and Dean Metcalf
officiating.  Burial will be in West Memorial Park.

An honor guard and firing squad will be provided by the NC DMV.

His family will receive friends from 3:30 - 5:30 pm Sunday at the funeral home on Patton Avenue and at other times will be at the residence, 3 Fieldcrest Drive, Candler.

Memorials may be made to the Shriners   hospital for Crippled and Burned Children, PO Box 560666, Charlotte, NC 28256.