William Pate Poteete

William Pate Poteete, 86, of Collierville passed away Monday, November 11, 2013. William, or “Bill” as most friends called him, was born to the late Luther and Tula Poteete on December 1, 1926 in Derma, Mississippi. He graduated from Calhoun County High School in 1944. He married his beautiful bride, the late Virginia Gates Poteete on January 15, 1950. Until her death in 2011, they were happily married for over 61 years. Bill proudly served his country in the United States Army with active duty in the Pacific region during World War II before returning home and continuing to serve his country as a member of the United States National Guard. In 1958 Bill was introduced to Kemmons Wilson and Wallace Johnson, the founding fathers of a then, young company, called Holliday Inns of America. This was the beginning of his long career with Holliday Inns where he eventually became the Vice President of Training and Inspections. After over twenty-two years with Holliday Inns, Bill retired allowing him and Virginia to travel and serve others. They enjoyed many wonderful trips throughout the US and abroad, but most of all, Bill and Virginia loved serving in their church and caring for the elderly. Bill served as an Ordained Deacon at Richland, Eudora and Colonial Baptist Churches. After moving to Collierville they became members of Germantown Baptist Church and were very active in various activities at the church. Bill leaves three daughters and their husbands, Janet (Jeff) Warren of South Riding, Virginia, Susan (Jim) Lane of Tullahoma, Tennessee and Patricia (Gary) Manning of Arlington, Tennessee along with nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or Germantown Baptist Church. Visitation will be on Thursday November 14, 2013 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. with the funeral service to follow at 1 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home with internment in Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.memphisfuneralhome.net Memphis Funeral Home And Memorial Gardens 5599 Poplar Ave. (901)725-0100