William Moody Patrick

Bill was born on March 13, 1939 in Jackson, Mississippi, to parents John Albert Patrick and Josie Moody Patrick. He was married to Jan Neal Patrick and had two children from a previous marriage, Lisa LeMaster and James R. Patrick.

Bill grew up in Jackson, attended local schools and graduated from Central High School in 1956. He enlisted in the United States Army shortly after graduation and served in the military for 21 years. His tours of duty took him to Fort Eustis, Virginia, Korea, Taiwan, Okinawa, Fort Wadsworth, New York, Vietnam, Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Ord, California. His training included tours in language school where he completed courses in Chinese, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Russian. Bill served his country with distinction and retired from the Army in 1977.

After retirement, Bill graduated from California Baptist College and then from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. When he returned to Mississippi, he served in the ministry and pastored at North Jackson Baptist Church for nine years.

Bill was a lifelong learner and through the years, completed numerous courses at the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State, Belhaven University, the University of Southern Mississippi, and Millsaps College. He taught at Siwell, Bailey and Wingfield High Schools between the years of 1985-1990 and 1997 – 2004.

After his last retirement, Bill’s hobbies and activities were centered on community service and his love for family and the state. He volunteered and retired as a Colonel in the Mississippi State Guard and served as a Chaplain for Jackson Police Department. As a Biblical dramatist, Bill wrote and performed in a dramatic presentation on the life of Andrew Jackson. He was a self-described Mississippi historian, an educator and lecturer in all thinks Mississippi. Frequently, Bill spoke on topics of Mississippi music, writers, sports, history, food and culture. For many years, he was a book reviewer and food writer (Epicurious) for the Clarion Ledger between the years of 1984-1998. During his tenure, he visited hundreds of restaurants throughout the state and wrote over seven hundred columns without a single miss. He was also a published poet and short story writer.

In his last years, Bill immersed himself in genealogy and was admitted to Sons of the American Revolution, General Society of the War of 1812, Sons of Confederate Veterans and First Families of Mississippi. He enjoyed visiting and collecting stamped post cards from every post office in Mississippi. Bill enjoyed cooking and won many prizes at the State Fair for his apple, chess and pecan pies. In his travels, Bill lived or visited 47 states and 23 countries.

Bill is survived by his wife Jan, daughter Lisa LeMaster, son in law Matthew Zents. Son James R. Patrick, brother Albert Lamar Patrick, grandchildren Loretta LeMaster and Joshua Andrew and wife Jennifer LeMaster, niece Jessica Patrick, nephew John Allie Patrick, great niece Georgia Patrick, step children Kathryn Neal Nester, Rick Neal and step grandchildren Katie Nester and Caroline and husband Edward and numerous cousins.

Bill was a devoted father, grandfather, husband and friend to many.