William McKinley "Mack" Pate Jr.

William McKinley “Mack” Pate, Jr., age 76, of Buhl, Alabama, passed away February 5, 2024, at Northport Medical Center. Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 12, 2024, at Pate Cemetery with Bro. Mike Feltman officiating and Magnolia Chapel North directing. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Kelly Pate; parents, William McKinley Pate and Lorah Faye Pate; and sisters, Barbara Ann Hyche and Brenda Faye Crowder.

Survivors include his daughter, Kimberly Sue (Jimmy Palmer); sisters, Amelia Gayle Mills (James), Glenda Anderson (Gerry), and Patricia Bolton; brothers, Donald Pate, Johnnie Pate, and William Pate (Debra); grandchildren, William Baranowski and Zachery Baranowski; and great-grandson, Colton Guage Baranowski.

Mack served in the U. S. Army in Korea. After returning home, he married Sue Kelly and had their only child, Kim. He went on to work for Douglas Beasley for 20 years before going on to work for The University of Alabama for an additional 20 years, where he retired. Throughout Mack’s life he was a great bass fisherman. He was also a collector of Indian arrowheads and artifacts. He enjoyed hunting and making beautiful shadow boxes for his collection of arrowheads. Mack was an amazing husband, father, and brother. He provided for his family and loved them so much. He was also the most incredible Paw Paw to William and Zac, his grandsons. They were always put first in his life. He taught them how to live off the land by teaching them how to hunt, fish, and become the young men they are today. Mack was an incredible friend to so many. His kind heart was one of his great attributes. Anyone that knew Mack was blessed. He always was just a phone call way anytime day or night if you needed help. He was loved by his family and friends so much. He will always be remembered for he was a great man.

Pallbearers will be William Baranowski, Zachery Baranowski, Hunter Booth, Larry Baranowski, James Mills, and Daniel Kelly.

The family will accept flowers at the graveside service.