When I think about where I live, I think about a lifetime and then some. Grapevine is where I grew up, built my career, where Betty and I raised our five children and where I’ve had the privilege of serving now for 50 years as mayor.
Growing up in Grapevine, I have fond memories of running across the white picket fences of Main Street homes. I also spent time helping out at Tate Cash Grocery and Tate Hardware on Main Street. That was long before the buildings were on the National Register of Historic Places.
After I graduated from Grapevine public schools in 1960, I attended the University of North Texas and received my bachelor’s degree in accounting. In 1968, I received my doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Houston Law Center.
Then I came home, married Betty Curtis and opened my law practice and title company. Much of my early career involved helping families buy property, settle estates and build businesses.
I had a front-row seat to growth long before I ever sat in the mayor’s chair. I saw promise in this destination, even when it was a small farming town of just 7,200 people.
Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate is pictured on March 23, 2026. In May, Tate will celebrate his 50th year as mayor. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
In 1973, I was elected mayor. At the time, I could not have imagined I would still be serving five decades later. What I did know was that I loved this community and wanted to protect what made it special.
Over the years, we have experienced extraordinary transformation. We grew to a population of 51,500. We have welcomed new businesses, strengthened our infrastructure and grown into an internationally recognized destination that now welcomes more than 12 million visitors each year.
Through it all, I believed growth should never come at the expense of character. Preserving Historic Main Street, honoring our traditions and maintaining a sense of community have always guided my decisions.
Progress and heritage can exist side by side when you are intentional about both.
My paternal great-grandmother walked to Texas to create a new life for her young family, and I’d like to think she’d be proud of its growth and heritage preservation, paying homage to those who laid the path.
Outside of my public service, I have always found balance in simple things. I am a rancher at heart. I enjoy hunting and fishing and spending time outdoors. Those moments remind me of the values I was raised with: stewardship, patience and respect for the land. They are lessons that have shaped how I lead.
Betty has been my partner through every chapter of this journey. Some of my proudest moments have happened around our family table, raising our five children and still now, with the grandchildren’s journeys.
Fifty years as mayor is something I never set out to achieve. I simply set out to serve. Where I live is defined by the people who place their trust in me and by the responsibility to leave this community stronger for the next generation.
Grapevine is not just where I work. It is home. And it always will be.
Editor’s note: William D. Tate will celebrate his 50th year as Grapevine mayor in May. He was elected to the office in 1973 and held it until 1985. He was reelected in 1988 and has remained in the seat since then. His current term expires in 2027. The city had about 7,000 residents in 1970; today, it has more than 50,000.
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