J. William "Bill" Pate , 92, of Bald Creek, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at The Greens in Spruce Pine. A native of Yancey County, he was the son of Edd Pate.

Bill was a U.S. Air Force Veteran. He was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Bill graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in education. He was a principal for many years with Asheville City Schools. Bill loved to travel and had visited every state and many foreign countries. Many summers he traveled to Alaska to pan for gold. He loved to talk about his adventures.

Surviving are his caregivers and cousins, Kevin and Chris Swann, Mickey and Brenda Swann, Austin and Kayla Swann; his special toddler, Emma Ruth Swann; and many cousins.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday February 4, 2023 in Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service. Rev. Tim Hylemon and Mr. Mickey Swann will officiate. Burial will follow in Pate Cemetery in Burnsville, NC. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to Gideons International.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.