SSgt Pate entered the Air Force in 1948 and took his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.  After leaving basic training he was then stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida where he spent 3 years in the 3625th Air Police Squadron.  After spending a year in Japan he was awarded the Japan Occupation Medal.  SSgt Pate was then transferred to Chennault Air Force Base in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  This is where he met his wife, Hazel Dell Foreman, and they were married on June 25, 1955.

In 1966 SSgt Pate and his family were transferred to Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona.  He was then sent to Vietnam where he spent a year.  After returning, he and his family were transferred to Williams Air Force Base in Chandler, Arizona where he worked in Pass and ID registration. 

The Pate family became very active in Chapel Activities, NCO, Boy and Girl Scouts, and school affairs.  He was very dedicated to his career and received the Korean Service Medal and also the National Defense Service Medal.  SSgt Pate was an Honor Guard member and performed funeral details on the average of twice a week for retired military personnel in eastern Arizona.

SSgt and Mrs. Pate became very active members in the VFW in 1968 where he was a member until his death in 1970.

SSgt Pate died at Davis Grant USAF medical center at Travis Air Force Base, California on January 23, 1970.  He was laid to rest at the Garden of Peace Memorial Park in Chandler, Arizona on January 29, 1970.
 

- Post 7401 was instituted on May 21, 1968 with 48 Charter members.

- The 7401 Ladies Auxiliary was instituted on April 11, 1970 with 32 charter members.

- Military Order of the Cooties San Tan Pup Tent 9 was instituted on May 12, 1972 with 18 Charter members.

- Post 7401 was issued its Perpetual Charter on August 14, 1974.

- The PT9 Auxiliary was instituted on February 20, 1981 with 21 charter members.

- The 7401 Ladies Auxiliary was re-instituted on February 16, 2003 with 58 Charter members.

- The 7401 Jr Girls Unit was instituted on 23 February 2003 with 23 charter members.




- Meetings of Post 7401 members were first held at the American Legion Post 35.
- Through the efforts of Commander Bud Wells & Don Walker, a vacant grocery store was purchased in 1970 and the Post 7401 home was established at 751 South Arizona Avenue. After many hours of volunteer labor by members, the new home of Post 7401 was ready for use.  In 1970 Chandler Post 7401 was renamed William B. Pate Post 7401 in honor of their first deceased charter member.