William 'Pat' Patterson

Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, William Pat E. Patterson, 80, of Danville, passed away at 4:35 a.m. Thursday, May 19th, 2011, at VA Illiana Healthcare Systems Palliative Care Unit, after a valiant fight with asbestosis. Pat was born on June 18th, 1930, in Danville, the son of John Kilgore and Esther (Dearing) Patterson. He married LaVerne Drews on July 1st, 1950 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Danville. She survives. They celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2010. He is also survived by two daughters- Jan (Dan) Thomen of Danville and Susan (Royce) Adamson of Gilbertsville, Kentucky; one son- Guy (Julia) Patterson of Danville; six grandchildren- Dana Weese, Brock Tucker, Christopher and Cole Frazier and Jeremiah and Zachary Patterson; five step-grandchildren- Allison, Austin and Tyler Thomen and April and Troy Adamson; ten great-grandchildren; two sisters- Marilyn (Don) Ruffner of Danville and Judy (Angelo) Cacciatore of Foster City, California; sister-in-law- Phyllis Drews of Aurora, Illinois; several nieces and nephews; and special friends- Merle and Vickie Jinkins of Danville and Audrey Thorlton and Jim Wheeler of Port Charlotte, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers-in-law- Eugene and Earl Drews. Pat graduated from Danville High School in 1948. After high school, he enlisted in the Unites States Navy and served until 1952. He worked as a union electrician for IBEW and was a manager at Leverenz Electric for 10 years. He then became the maintenance and engineering supervisor at St. Elizabeths and Lakeview Hospital in Danville, until he retired in 1995. Pat and LaVerne spent the winters in Port Charlotte, Florida for 10 years, where they were members of the Faith Lutheran Church. After retiring, he worked as a ranger at Blue Needles Golf Course until 2008. Pat was an avid golfer and enjoyed singing, dancing, reading, painting, repairing golf clubs and playing euchre with his grandchildren. He was very devoted to his family and friends. A Celebration of the life of William Pat E. Patterson will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 23rd, 2011 at Trinity Lutheran Church, with Pastor Kent Tibben officiating. Burial will be at Gordon Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Sunday at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, a Life Celebration Home. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.