William "Billy" Patterson

William 'Billy' Patterson, 81, of Calhoun Falls, husband of Jo Payne Patterson, died Monday, November 30, 2015 at the National Health Care in Greenwood. He was born in Abbeville County to the late Grady L. Patterson, Sr. and Claudia McClain Patterson. He was a 1954 graduate of Calhoun Falls High School where he was voted Friendliest by his classmates. On August 9, 1955, 60 years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Patterson eloped. When he called his father-in-law to tell him, he offered him a job with the Granite Shed in Elberton, Ga., a job that would serve him well in his later years. He served in the S.C. National Guard and owned and operated Patterson's Phillip 66 Service Station in Calhoun Falls. After being associated with Independent Life Insurance Company for 18 years Mr. Patterson returned to the granite business as owner of Patterson Monuments until his retirement. Mr. Patterson was a member of Northside Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Chief Bus Driver, and was a member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class. He was also a member of the Calhoun Falls Masonic Lodge, a former Calhoun Falls Jaycees member and was an Auxiliary Policeman for the town of Calhoun Falls. He served one term on the City Council. Mr. Patterson always had a love for cars, airplanes, and trains. As a young man, he dirt track raced car number 32. He learned the Art of Beekeeping from his father and maintained his father's bee hives until his health declined. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Grady Patterson, Jr and Allen 'Chunk' Patterson, Sr.; a sister, Dorothy Patterson Tate. Mr. Patterson is survived by his wife of 60 years of the home; three daughters, Peggy Lee Waters (Luke) of Calhoun Falls, Cindy P. Burch (Richard) of North Myrtle Beach and Kelly P. Silvers (Marty) of Aiken, SC; six grandchildren, Lauren (Nathan), Nelson, Leslie, Patterson, Garrett and Allen and one great-grandson, Brody Payne Waters. The family will receive friends from 1:00PM to 2:30PM on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at Northside Baptist Church. Funeral services will begin on Wednesday at 3:00PM in the church. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. The family is at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Luke Waters on Tugaloo St. Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Patterson may be sent to the Northside Baptist Church Sanctuary Fund, 205 Marion St. Calhoun Falls, SC 29628. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com HARRIS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES CALHOUN FALLS CHAPEL, is assisting the Patterson family.