William Patterson
William Patterson, 80, died on Sunday, March 29, 2015.
He was born Aug. 8, 1934 to the late David & Mattie Patterson in Uniontown, AL.
William graduated from Perry County Training School in May, 1954. He enlisted in the U. S. Army and was honorably discharged in November, 1957.
He confessed Christ in December, 1967 and joined Antioch Primitive Baptist Church under the late Elder Ezell Tibbs. In 1968 he married Sister Ella Mae Middleton and together they raised three children: Jerome, Wanda and Donna. At Antioch, William served as a member of the Deacon Board, Sunday School and as church treasurer.
William enjoyed working many years at JCPenney. He loved family, co-workers and friends and could always be counted on to keep them laughing.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Ella Mae Patterson, sister, Dorothy Nelson and his first cousin, Emma.
He is survived by four children, Linda Walker, Jerome Kelley, Wanda (Alvin) Woodard, Chattanooga, Donna (Robert) Appiah, Harare, Zimbabwe; nine grandchildren, Moneka, Raymond III, Christopher, Tamara, Evay, Keisha, Robert, Michael and April; 13 great-grandchildren; four siblings, Clinton D. (Lillie) Patterson, Birmingham, Robert Nelson, Tuscaloosa, AL, Florence P. Sanders, Hardeeville, SC, Ruby Mae Hubbert, Boston; one aunt, Sarah Coprich, Uniontown, AL; 15 first cousins who were raised like siblings, Henry, Geraldine, Marie, George, Ben, Mary, James, John Ed, Betty Frances, Gloria, Phyllis, Betty, Phillip Jr., Linda and Charlotte; sister-in-law, Lula Mae Turner; brother-in-law, Curtis Middleton; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday, April 6, at Antioch Primitive Baptist Church with Pastor Leslie officiating. Interment will be in National Cemetery at 2 p.m. The body will be available for viewing one hour prior to services at the church.
The body will lie in state after noon until 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.