Billy Earl Tate, 86, of Choctaw County, Oklahoma, passed away on October 13, 2025.

He was born on December 2, 1939, in Wheeler County, Texas to G. C. Tate and Juanita Lee Tate, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Annie Fayrene Tate, and his sister, Jean Logue.

Billy and Fayrene were married for 38 years, until her passing in June 2025. They shared a deep and enduring love.

Billy served in the United States Navy and later retired from Kaiser Steel. He enjoyed gardening, watching football and rodeos, and caring for his animals. Bill also had a special love for horses. He was a good man, a man of few words, who valued hard work and family.

He is survived by Dian Davis Johnson and Susan Davis Feller, to whom he became a second father, and his son-in-law Gary Lynn Johnson, his nephews, Bob Logue and wife Holly, and Chuck Logue and wife Susan, his nieces, Sherry Logue Preas, and Crystal Logue Butler and husband Guy, and several extended family members and friends.

A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a veterans' organization in Billy's memory.