William Patterson

He was raised by his maternal grandparents, William Oscar and Minnie Lee Adkins, in Columbia, SC. He attended Brookland High School and Draughon Business College. He was an instructor for the Army Air Force in Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. William and his wife, Fannie Cook Patterson, were married for 56 years. He worked for 30 years with the W. T. Rawleigh Company as wholesale dealer. He became a real estate broker/appraiser and opened his own company, Patterson Realty Service and WEPCO, Inc. He was the Area Manager and Broker for HUD for twelve years before retiring.

William is survived by his children, Lenelle Shealy (Dwight) of Ethridge, TN, Sara Staib (Wic), Shirley Jeffcoat (Bud), Sharon Corley (Kale), Lindy Lucas (Eddie), Billie Jean Brown (P.J.), Sandra Steele (Jeff) and William Patterson, Jr. (Jackie), all of Lexington. He has 22 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Fannie C. Patterson, and sisters, Lois P. Hyler and Deverlon Patterson.

His family was the Rawleigh Family of the Year in 1964. William was “Greatest Grandfather of the Year” in 1987 at SC State Fairgrounds. He was a member of Woodmen of World #273, Elmore Masonic Lodge #288 for 60 years, Past Master Pelion Chapter, member of Bethel United Methodist Church and charter member of Edmund Community Club, where he served as President and Founder.

A graveside service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at Southland Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to the Bethel United Methodist Church Mission Fund, PO Box 84653, Lexington, SC 29073.

Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel, is assisting the family with arrangements.

www.caughmanharmanfuneralhome.net