William Ward Cate, 86, of Madison passed away on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at Dogwood Village in Orange, Va. He was born on Nov. 29, 1930, in Montour Falls, N.Y., to the late Bert Clarence Cate and Ruth Eliza Spencer Cate. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Louis Clarence Cate; three sisters, Dorothy Lancashire, Margaret Ward and Barbara White.He is survived by his wife, Eugenia (Genie) Harper Cate; three sons, Brett V. Cate of Monroeville, Spencer W. Cate of Sterling, Va., Barry H. Cate of Naperville, Ill..; five grandchildren, Devin and Samantha Cate, Trevor and Adam Cate, and Barry T. Cate; nieces and nephews, Marti Cate, Pat Bridge, Peggy Kelley, Barbara Halpern, Paul Cate, Ronald White, and Thomas White.Bill was born and raised in his beloved hometown of Montour Falls, N.Y., where the local school still bears his father's name. He graduated from Hamilton College, near Syracuse, N.Y., where his life-long devotion to the Syracuse basketball team had its roots. Throughout his life, Bill expressed deep appreciation for the education he received at Hamilton and attended many reunions until is health prevented his attendance after his 60th year. Upon graduation, he and his roommate of four years enlisted in the Army, expecting to be assigned together. Instead, Bob was sent to Korea and Bill to Germany. Bill returned home three years later to begin his civilian career at Westinghouse, then moved to Merganthaler in Wellsboro, and was swept away at his first sight of Eugenia Harper. He demanded that his friends arrange a blind date and the rest is history. Bill and Genie were married in 1960, moved to State College, where Bill took a position with HRB Singer, then transferred to the new town of Reston, Va., where they settled with their three sons until retirement. After Genie sold her Great Falls Greenhouses business, they moved to Madison, Va. where they raised peonies, day lilies, and iris and where Bill continued to lead his sons and grandchildren in their unflagging support of Syracuse basketball and of his beloved New York Yankees and New York Giants, teams which have Bill to thank for their most avid fan base. Bill's cheers will no longer be heard, but the chorus he has raised will shout all the louder in his honor.The family wishes to thank Dogwood Village and Legacy Hospice for their excellent care given to Bill. Memorial contributions may be sent to Hamilton College, Attention: Scholarships, 198 College Hill Road, Clinton, N.Y. 13323. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.