Born in 1915 in the Erath County Community of Bethal, his father was a school teacher and farmer and young Will learned at an early age the importance of an education: He attended school at Morgan Mill and Alexander and in 1932 entered the preparatory school of John Tarleton Agricultural College.

 Tarleton was to have a lasting impact on the young man and he still credits Tarleton's educators for seeing his potential and coaxing him to success. Tate played basketball for Tarleton's legendary Coach Wisdom and he was a member of the 1934 and 1935 teams that won 40 straight games. In 1935 he was the conference's leading scorer and a unanimous selection to the Coaches All Conference team.

 After graduating from Tarleton in 1935, Tate enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin where he played varsity basketball and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1939. In 1940 he entered the military as a member of Texas' own 36th Division. During his 30 years of active military service, he spent time in the U.S., France, Holland and Germany; spent four years with the Department of the Army General Staff in Washington D.C. and earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from Harvard University. He was twice awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptional service and retired in 1970 serving more than ten years with the rank of colonel.

 After leaving the military, Colonel Tate joined the faculty of Galveston Community College serving as chairman of the Department of Business. In 1972, he was appointed Vice President of Business and Fiscal Affairs at Galveston College and served in that capacity until his second retirement in 1983.

 Always loyal to Tarleton, Colonel Tate has served for many years on the Tarleton Alumni Association Board of Directors and in 1985 he was vice chairman of the Alumni Campaign for Excellence fund raising project. He was inducted into the Tarleton Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982 and in 1988 was chosen as the University's Distinguished Alumnus. Colonel Tate now makes his home in Stephenville. It is with great pride that we name the Organization of the Year Award after Colonel Will L. Tate.