Patricia was born January 6, 1928 in Joliet, IL, the daughter of Peter and Frances (Wellner) Wolz.
Surviving are her son, Bill (Katy Koch) King, Jr. of Austin, Texas; a grandson, Bill (Vicki Wheeler) King, III of Bloomington, IL; a granddaughter, Samantha (Mitch) Ashby of Atlanta, Georgia; a great-grandson, Ryan King Ashby of Atlanta, Georgia; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband William King, Sr.; her parents; three brothers and three sisters.
Patricia began her career with Caterpillar Tractor Co. in Joliet, IL in 1951 as an Executive Secretary. During her time as a secretary she earned her CPS designation and was also a member of the National Secretaries Association being the charter president of the Joliet chapter and rising to the position of International Vice President of the Great Lakes District of NSA.
In 1968 Caterpillar asked Patricia to move to their Peoria corporate headquarters and take over the responsibility for secretarial and clerical training. She was the first woman relocated by the company.
While working in Caterpillar’s corporate headquarters, the Mossville engine plant, and the Mapleton Foundry plant, Patricia held many different positions in the Human Resources Department rising to the level of Division Manager with responsibilities for Personnel, Medical, Training, and Safety. She was the first woman promoted to Division Manager at Caterpillar. She retired from Caterpillar in 1986 after 35 years with the company.
Patricia enjoyed gardening, reading and travel.
A private celebration of Pat’s life will be held at the East Lawn Funeral Home Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be shared with the family at eastlawn-bloomington.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18