Mr. William Billy Joe Joseph Patton

Billy Joe Patton died at the Grace Ridge Retirement Community in the early morning hours of the New Year. He was the son of Nollie Moore Patton and Margaret Davis Patton. He was a native of Morganton and graduated from Morganton High School and Wake Forest University. He served in the US Navy in World War II on a boat in the Pacific.

Billy Joe started his working career with Hardwoods of Morganton and was later self employed as a lumber broker. He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth Collett Patton and his brother Nollie Moore Patton Jr. He is survived by his three children, William J. Patton, Jr., Elizabeth Patton Drennen (Felix) of Birmingham, AL and Charles Collett Patton (Lucie) of Winston-Salem, NC. He is also survived by his brother James Davis Patton(Kakie) of Florida; five grandchildren: Elizabeth Patton Drennen, Mary Hagood Drennen, Margaret Drennen Brooke, Charles Collett Patton, Jr and Baker VanBuren Patton. He has one great grandchild.

Billy Joe’s real passion was golf. During the 1950’s and 60’s, he played golf at the highest level. He nearly won the 1954 Masters and finished in the top ten in five major championships during his career. He also played in 13 consecutive Masters Tournaments. He won numerous amateur events throughout the country during his career including three Carolinas Amateurs three North and South Amateurs, and two Southern Amateurs. He was a four time member of the United States Walker Cup Team and a non-playing captain in 1969. In 1982, he received the Bob Jones award from the USGA for outstanding sportsmanship. He remained a lifelong amateur and was a fearless competitor.

He gave back to the game of golf and his community. He served as President of the Carolina’s Golf Association and a member of the USGA Executive Committee. He also served as chairman of the United Way campaign in Burke County in the 1970’s.

The family will receive friends, Sunday January 2nd, 2011 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Kirksey Funeral Home, 406 Lenoir Road, Morganton.

A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Morganton at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 3rd, 200 North King Street, Morganton. Memorial gifts may be made to the Community Foundation of Burke County, 205 North King Street, Morganton, NC 28655.

Online condolences may be left at www.kirkseymorganton.com

Kirksey Funeral Home has the honor of serving the Patton Family.