Grapevine Mayor William Tate destined for politics

by Minnie Payne

"As a child, I heard my family and fellow-community leaders talk about their dreams and aspirations for the city, and I wanted to be a part of this."

GRAPEVINE — When 65-year-old Grapevine Mayor William Tate was growing up in Grapevine, he was surrounded by a community-minded family.

“My father graduated from Grapevine High School in 1929; went to the University of North Texas for three days, then came home and worked for Buckner Stores, a family-owned general store,” Tate said.

“He later served on the Grapevine City Council; was mayor for four years and also served on the school board. As a merchant, he had an opportunity to acquire a good reputation.”

Tate said his mother’s father was the first night watchman [policeman] in the community and also a merchant in downtown Grapevine.

“As a child, I heard my family and fellow-community leaders talk about their dreams and aspirations for the city, and I wanted to be a part of this,” he said.

Tate attended Grapevine Schools and after graduation, went to Austin College for a semester on a grant to play basketball. He transferred to the University of North Texas, graduating in January 1965 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting.

“I tell people that I never received a full education, because I only have 30 hours on my master’s degree from the University of North Texas.”

He graduated from law school at the University of Houston in January 1968 and worked for a CPA firm in Dallas until he passed the bar examination.

He married June 7, 1969 and on June 30, 1969, he opened his private practice in Grapevine.

“My wife was a teacher, making about $400 a month, and I had that to fall back on,” Tate said. “The people in the community supported and trusted me and gave me a chance to have a good life.”

Tate said that when an attorney works for a large law firm, they usually have a specialized field.

“In a small private practice, you have to be well versed in a lot of different aspects, because the laws are always changing.”

He said that through the years he has helped many of his clients when they didn’t have the money to pay him. He especially enjoys solving clients’ problems such as starting a business or helping plan estates.

“You run into all kinds of people,” he said. “Some you can help; some you can’t. It’s interesting to know what other people’s strengths and weaknesses are, because you can avoid some of the pitfalls.

“You get into the weave and constructiveness of people’s lives.”

Tate served as Grapevine City Attorney from 1969-72; was elected to the Grapevine City Council June 1972 and then was elected mayor in June 1973, serving until 1985, when he was defeated.

“I had decided not to run for another term in 1985 and changed my mind about midnight the day before Election Day,” he said. “I lost by 67 votes.”

He was re-elected mayor in May 1988 and serves to present.

“I have two years left on my current term,” he said. “It’s too early to decide future plans.”

Tate said he enjoys politics, because he has an opportunity to be part of a plan and share in orchestrated achievements.

“The thing I dislike about politics is that in making decisions that affects everyone, you can’t please everyone,” he said. “The toughest part is city zoning.”

Tate said that he presently spends about 10 or 15 hours weekly being mayor, or about 25 percent of his time, because the city has matured and a lot of difficult decisions have been made. He spends about 75 percent of his time as an attorney.

“I get a small salary for being mayor, in addition to car and expense allowances,” he said. “The City also provides group medical insurance.”

Tate is a member of Grapevine Church of Christ. He has been married to his wife, Betty, for 37 years, and they have five daughters, all teachers. As a diversion, he likes to spend time at his ranch in Southwest Texas, hunt, fish, ski and travel.

“As mayor, I think that he is somebody who doesn’t like to take credit for the growth and prosperity that Grapevine has experienced over the last 20 years,” said Bruno Rumbelow, Grapevine City Manager. “He has the education and know-how to do what he wants to, but he chooses to stay here in his hometown and serve.

“What a lot of people don’t know about him is that he loves to read and write, and he’s quite a dramatist.”