William Lee Slate

William Lee Slate, “Willie” was born January 19, 1946 in Memphis Tennessee to the late Willie Edward Slate and Bessie Landingham. Willie grew up in a full home, a home of five brothers: Edward “Eddie,” Curtis, Larry (preceded in death), Ricky (preceded in death), and Melvin, and three sisters: Carolyn, Sheila, and Phyllis.

Willie graduated from Phillips High School in Chicago, IL. During Willie’s high school years, he managed to deliver newspapers in the evening hours after school. This was around the time Willie met Gloria, who was thirteen years young, and Willie was fifteen years young. Willie and Gloria fell in love, and with “authorized signatures,” Willie and Gloria became ONE on January 24, 1963. During those sixty-two years of marriage, Willie and Gloria had three children: William (Sheila), Lisa (Denton), and Mary (Kelvin).

Willie was Gloria’s “EVERYTHING.”

Willie served in the United States Navy for over twenty Years and retired as Senior Chief Petty Officer. He served with dedication, professionalism, and enthusiasm while Gloria stood unwavering by his side.

Senior Chief Slate was deployed to many ports, served on five Naval Ships, and received many accommodations, including four Good Conduct Medals, the Presidential Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Willie was a fighter, a fighter all his life for his family, his family came first. He touched the hearts of everyone he met, and his memory will be embedded forever in his children, brothers, sisters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Willie, you will be remembered in my heart forever.

I Love YOU.

Gloria

Psalm 73:26 

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.”