William “Bill” Choate, a longtime leader of Baptist Collegiate Ministry in Tennessee whose influence shaped generations of college students, died Dec. 19 at age 67.
Choate served Tennessee Baptists through the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board for 42 years. His ministry included roles as associate campus minister at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1984–89); campus minister at Vanderbilt University (1989–99); and director of collegiate ministries for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (1999–2025).
“Bill never wavered from a vision that Baptist Collegiate Ministry is built on the foundation of evangelism, discipleship, missions, leadership development and local church engagement,” said Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. “It is impossible to comprehend the impact he’s had on the lives of thousands of young people throughout his faithful ministry. His was a life well lived and certainly an example to us all.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written and originally published by The Baptist and Reflector.





