William Macon Patrick Jr.

Born on May 26th, 1924, in Dallas, Texas, Pat’s early years were marked by a passion for engineering and motors while working in his father’s automotive machine shop. Despite a motorcycle accident at 15 that left him with a broken leg, preventing him from serving as a combat soldier in WWII, Pat joined the Marine Corps and was assigned stateside due to his left leg being slightly shorter. He worked in the motor pool and signal core, maintaining generators for radar equipment on the west coast, where he discovered his true passion for airplanes.

In 1950, Pat met his wife of 63 years, Bessie Barrow Patrick, in Jackson, MS. A true gearhead, Pat enjoyed building and modifying race cars and go-carts. Together, they even opened their own racetrack, with Pat overseeing races and Bess managing the concession stands. Juggling various day jobs, Pat became a design engineer at Vickers (later Eaton), specializing in hydraulic pumps. Maintaining his entrepreneurial spirit, he opened Parts and Machine in 1964, evolving into Patrick Machinery and Tool Corp in 1976. Always a problem solver, Pat continued working in his machine shop, “Patrick Trading,” until just three weeks before his passing, finding joy in the daily challenges.

Amidst his successful career, Pat pursued his love for aviation, building and restoring aircraft that he enjoyed flying for many decades. Even after selling his plane in 2018, he continued going on a flight every year for his birthday.

Pat’s unwavering confidence, problem-solving skills, and dedication to family and work are cherished by his surviving sons, William “Mac” Patrick III (Joan) and Alan Barrow Patrick (Candy) and his sister, Patricia Jeanne Phillips. Pat cherished his grandchildren, William Macon Patrick IV (Tarah), Christopher “Ryan” Patrick (Mary Grace), Carlye Patrick Molpus (Barry), and April Patrick Woodard (Gary); his great grandchildren, William “Macon” Patrick V, Macy Patrick, Audrey Molpus, Darcy Molpus, Coy Woodard, and Colten Woodard; and his niece, Marye Runnels (John) and two children Emily and Blake.

At 99, Pat leaves behind a rich legacy as a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, provider, teacher, and husband. His family hopes he can now find the reprieve he deserves alongside his late wife, Bess.

Preceding Pat in death were his wife, Bessie Mae “Bess” Patrick, and his parents, William Macon Patrick and Mary Cauthen Patrick.

A visitation for William will be held Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Parkway Funeral Home, 1161 Highland Colony Pkwy, Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM.

William will be laid to rest in Parkway Memorial Cemetery, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MS Wing Commemorative Air Force online at https://ms-wing-caf.square.site/ or by mail to 7450 Old Canton Road, Madison, MS 39110.