Billy Miller Tate

Memorial services for Billy Miller Tate, 89, Prairie Village, will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Mt. Moriah and Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road in Kansas City, Mo.
Mr. Tate died Saturday, June 20, 2009, at Somerset Health Center at Claridge Court.
He was born and grew up in Decaturville, Tenn.
He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Mr. Tate entered the Army Air Corps in 1940 and served for five years. During World War II, he flew the first troop carrier to England. He also flew the C-47 Troop Carrier in the invasions of North Africa and Italy. He was given the honor of flying President Tito’s family on a secret mission out of former Yugoslavia. He retired from the service with the rank of major.
In 1945, he was hired as a pilot for TWA, where he worked for 34 years. During his career, he served as manager of pilot training. He was also director and manager of the 747 training program for all TWA pilots. He was selected Pilot of the Year in 1977.
His hobbies included building, golf and snow skiing.
Mr. Tate was an active member of the Prairie Village Presbyterian Church, a member of Leawood South Country Club, the TWA Active Retired Pilot’s Association and the Leawood Wall $treeter$ Investment Club.
He married Jane Cox, and they shared 67 years together. She survives, of the home.
Other survivors include three daughters, Linda Tate Woodsmall and husband Peter, Lydia Tate Belot, and Annette Tate Steinauer and husband Edmund; five grandchildren, Ellen, Lindsey, Jennifer, David and Anna; and one great-grandchild, Hallie Jane.
Mr. Tate was preceded in death by his sister, Ida Dale Marion.
The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208, or The Alzheimer’s Association, 3846 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, KS 66208.