William T. Cater

William Thomas Cater, age 91, of Decatur, GA, lost a courageous battle with cancer and diabetes on Tuesday, August 18, 2009. He leaves behind a loving daughter, Cheryl Anne Fonda (husband Ken) of Conyers; stepson, Charles M. Thomas (wife Sharon) of Snellville; three grandchildren, John, Amy and Eric; great grandchild, Charlie Enter; two sisters, Katherine Watkins of McDonough and Mildred Plymal of Covington; and a host of nephews and nieces. Proudly serving in World War II, he was also a member of American Legion Post 0050. Working at Western Electric for 39 years, he was also a member of the Communications Workers of America Union. The funeral to honor his life will be held in the chapel of A. S. Turner & Sons at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 21. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 20^th between the hours of 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at A. S. Turner & Sons.





A personal reflection from the Cater family follows:

Carried away on eagles wings on August 18, 2009.

William Thomas Cater, age 91 of Decatur, to begin

his eternal life in heaven.

Born in Campbell County (now known as Fulton County), on

September 19, 1917, to Lora Orr Cater and Evan Lester Cater,

later growing up in College Park and attending Russell High

School in  East Point where he graduated in 1936.

He married his high school sweetheart, the love of his life,

Helon Louise Bowdoin.  They were married for 29 wonderful

years before losing her to cancer in 1966.  During their years

together, they built a beautiful home in College Park, welcomed

the birth of a daughter, Cheryl Anne and endured the tragic

loss of a son, William Thomas Cater, Jr., whom only blessed

their lives for 4 days.

While living in College Park, both William and Helon, taught

Sunday School at Newton Estates Baptist Church where they

attended.

He was married again to Mittie Ruth Cater, at which time,

they relocated to the Decatur area, and during their 42 years

of marriage, owned several homes in the Decatur area.

Once again, he suffered her tragic loss to cancer, in March

of 2009.

Bill and Ruth shared so many joys in their lives including

the birth of three grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

They have watched them grow and have many memories

they have held close to heart.  Spending time together

brought so much joy to their hearts.  At their home, you

would find many albums of pictures so these treasured

memories could always be seen time and time again.

Since moving to Decatur, William has been a member of

the First Baptist Church of Decatur.  He has made many

friends in his class known as the "Alert Class" there.  It has

meant alot to him to be a part of the First Baptist Church

congregational family.

As a proud soldier, William served in World War II where his

journeys took him from Georgia to New Jersey and then he

went on to Africa and Italy.  He always had many stories to

share with family and friends.  He served as a member of

what was then known as the "Signal Corps" for the United

States Army.  Afterwards, he became a member of the

American Legion, Post 0050.

As a youngster and later years, he worked for A & P Grocery

and then went on to work at Western Electric.  He worked

at their Forrest Rd. location and then before retiring, worked

at their location on Fulton Industrial Blvd.  While working

his 39 years for Western Electric, he was a member of the

Communications Workers of America Union and served a

term as Secretary of the union.

His love for animals in his life created memories of his

raising goats and rabbits.  Not only did he love to fish,

but in his yards, he built cement fish ponds with gorgeous

rock gardens that were always adorned with beautiful

blooming flowers and large goldfish.  In the ponds, he

carried from home to home, water lilies that he had raised

since he was 13 years of age.  When he could no longer care

for his last pond, these lilies and goldfish were donated to

Agnes Scott College.

Known as an avid gardener, his daughter recalls from her

childhood and later, his yards were always landscaped with

beauty and he spent endless hours keeping them that way.

Bill and Ruth spent valuable times together working out in

their yard and loved watching the birds and the hummingbirds

it would always attract.  Anyone who came to visit, could

find peace and tranquility there and you could visibly see

two hard working individuals and the love of God at work.

Bill spent his life as a dedicated husband, father and

grandfather.  He never met a stranger.  His outgoing personality

and wonderful smile will be missed.  He leaves behind a host of

loved ones, friends and neighbors that he always cherished that

he had met over the years.  In the neighborhood where they

lived,  there was hardly a day that went by that one of their

neighbors didn't come to check on them or to see if there was

anything they could do to help.  They all became like family

and they enjoyed watching their children grow.  Bill and

Ruth spoke often of how blessed they were to have the most

wonderful neighbors you could ever find.

In the words of his daughter, her Father has always been a

hero in her life.  Her Father has always been a very hard

working man that was completely dedicated to family.

He proudly embraced any challenges life had to offer.

Always putting others needs before his own, he was always

there to lend a helping hand no matter what the task. 

Not only was he a soldier in the war, but he fought each and

every day to take care of his family.   He has continued

fighting as he has struggled through growing older and having

to accept that there were limitations with older age.  He has

fought a courageous battle with cancer and diabetes.

Never forgetting how proud he was to be a soldier, he served

not only in the war, but was a soldier for his family and a

soldier of the cross for God.

Resting now in the arms of our Savior, his battle he has won.