William "Bill" Lynn Patrick

William L. “Bill” Patrick passed away February 1, 2024, at the age of 62. The youngest of four children, he was born in Beech Grove, Indiana, to Donald and Betty Patrick. His wife, Virginia, survives as does his sister Donna (Lynn) Joyce and brother Michael (Denise) Patrick. Bill’s eldest brother Jim (Dee) is deceased. His only child, Donnie, also preceded him in passing. Donnie gave Bill two lovely granddaughters: Julia Makinsey and Bridget Noggle. Julia is mother to great granddaughter Aurora. Bill was a stepfather and step-grandfather to several young souls over the years, most recently to Virginia’s daughter Leah (Tim) Bass and their children Taleah, Timothy, and Lincoln; and her son Travis (Renee) Veerkamp and their infant daughter, Freya. As Papaw, the children knew he would show his love with good times such as tractor-pulled wagon rides, fishing, jumping in leaf piles, bonfires, and so much more. Bill had several nephews and a niece who adored him and relied on him to keep their vehicles in shape, which was sometimes done with discretion so that their parents wouldn’t know there had been a problem. Along the way they learned about auto mechanics. Surviving Bill are nephews Scott (Suzanne) and Kyle Joyce; Jim, Justin, Cory (Jessica), and Kevin Patrick; and niece Kelly (Eric) Patrick Slone. One of that gang, when a toddler, tagged him as “Uncle Bull,” which stuck until those kids matured and started calling him “Uncle Willie.” Bill was loved.

Bill learned his mechanical skills at his dad’s knee. Many hours were spent together in the garage at their 5th Street home maintaining the family vehicles, motorcycles for the street and motocross racing, and a couple of Mister Softee ice cream trucks that the family operated. A favorite story that gets repeated is that when Bill’s dad would send him to “get a rag,” his mother would later find her kitchen drawer with no dish towels. Bill was a member of the Beech Grove High School class of 1980, where his big sister was guidance counselor. He knew that book learning just wasn’t as satisfying as fixing something, anything, and making things work. Bill was true to himself.

Those skills were put to use for many years as he worked at Franklin Township School Corporation maintaining buildings, mechanical systems, and grounds. If something was broken, it was time to “Call Bill.” He also could be found monitoring and locking up at many of the school’s afterhours events. He took his responsibilities seriously, and when he was one of the first on the scene at a school bus crash his big, caring heart was really stressed. He would not have had it any other way. Bill was loyal.

The Patrick family were involved in motorcycles before Bill was born. His parents participated in Poker Runs and other club events with Mom riding in the sidecar. His older brothers raced motocross, and while Bill never got the opportunity to race, he kept everyone else rolling. Of course, as an adult, he owned a Harley and enjoyed many trips with his buddies or his wife, including excursions to Sturgis, Talladega, the Blue Ridge Trail, Outer Banks, and many more. Bill was adventurous.

When motorcycling days came to an end Bill gained a new mechanically related hobby. He restored a 1940 Chrysler hot rod and proudly displayed it in numerous car shows. The beautifully restored and mighty powerful vehicle is a sight to behold and gained recognition, most recently as “Best in Show” at Wanamaker in the fall of 2023. Bill didn’t quit.

Bill enjoyed fishing, along with his wife and grandsons, and he hooked some pretty impressive bass from the retention pond at his brother’s home in Franklin Township. Bill had a quiet side.

When Bill’s parents were getting on in years he spent countless hours helping them to maintain their home in Franklin Township without any expectations, and that home did eventually become his, and he continued to care for it with pride. When his sister had an open house for her home for sale, he was there to clean her carpets the night before. These are but a very few of many examples of how Bill gave of himself to others. Bill never failed to step up when someone had a need. Never. He may have seemed pretty quiet or maybe tough to many, but inside there was a big, generous, tender, and caring heart. Bill was real.

Bill’s family and friends would be honored to have you visit to share condolences and memories of his lifetime at the Hornet Park Community Center in Beech Grove on Sunday, May 19, from 12-4 p.m. Casual attire, light refreshments.