Pat Patterson, 67

William Ray "Pat" Patterson, 67, of Mountain Home, died Saturday, March 20, 2004, at home after a battle with cancer.

Memorial services with military honors will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 26, at Summers Funeral Homes, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home.

Pat was born Nov. 13, 1936, in Plainview, Ark., to John Thomas and Levy Patterson. He graduated from Plainview-Rover High School.

Pat joined the Air Force in February 1954. He was stationed at various stateside assignments as well as overseas in Thailand and Japan. Aircraft Maintenance was the focus of his military career. After serving 20 years, he retired in Mountain Home in March of 1974.

Patterson worked at the civil service fire department at Mountain Home Air Force Base from July 1975 through April 1983. He also had various other positions with Search and Rescue, as an Elmore County Deputy Sheriff, with the BLM, at Home Lumber Company and a partnership in Mountainare Heating Store. His most recent position was driving school bus in the Mayfield area for over 15 years.

He married Lila Ellen Fedde on Oct. 1, 1960, in Reno, Nev.

Some of Pat and Lila's favorite hobbies included "RV"ing and camping. Pat had a great love of the outdoors and was an avid hunting and fishing sportsman. "He was known by all for his quick wit, humorous stories and his joke of the day," his family noted.

Patterson is survived by: his wife of 43 years, Lila; his daughter, Linda Wilson, and son-in-law Jess Wilson; and his two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Ida Molly Parker, Theo Rogers, Salina Koch, Pearl Potts, Janice Phillips, and brothers James L. Patterson and Tommy Lee Patterson.

The family suggests memorials be made in Pat's honor in lieu of flowers to the American Cancer Society, 2676 Vista Ave. Boise, ID 83705, or a charity of choice.