Bill L. Patton
U.S. Veteran

Bill passed from this life on December 12, 2012 in Midwest City at the age of 88.

Bill was born in Eureka, Kansas on February 4, 1924 to Frank and Alpha (Jones) Patton.

Bill graduated from Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Kansas in 1942. Bill served in the United States Air Force in 1943 and defended his country in The Battle of Tinian on Tinian Island in the Pacific Campaign of World War II. While in the service Bill was awarded two bronze stars.

On February 3, 1951 he married Nita Morris Johnson.

Bill worked for Phillips Petroleum in Shidler for 32 years until his retirement. Bill was a member of the Oklahoma VFW Post 2855 and in 1990 received a Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation for his service.

On June 25, 1984, Bill married Altus Blackburn. Bill and Altus resided in Blackwell and enjoyed travel and working for recreation areas at lakes and campsites in both Oklahoma and Texas.

His wife preceded him in death on February 25, 2012, and he continued to make Blackwell his home.

Bill was a long standing member of the First Baptist Church in Blackwell and enjoyed participating in many church activities. Bill was a creative artist with a torch and welded many pieces of art which his family will treasure. Bill enjoyed working with his hands and built an intricate and detailed train set and numerous toys for his children which have become family heirlooms. He also enjoyed reading, working on cars, dancing and gardening.

Bill's memory will be kept alive through the family and friends he leaves behind which includes one sister, Roberta "Bobbie" (Patton) Wilson of Bristol, Virginia, five sons, Terry Johnson and wife, Stephanie, of Amarillo, Texas, Larry and Lisa Patton and Pat and Jodi Patton of Shidler, Dee and Maria Blackburn of Blackwell and Dwight Blackburn of Mannford, Oklahoma; one daughter, Pam Wornkey and husband Tim of Ellenwood, Kansas; fifteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and numerous family and friends.

Bill was also preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Alpha Patton; brother, Thorton Patton, and sisters, Francis (Patton) Shipman and Alice (Patton) Bledsoe.

Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m, Saturday, December 15th in the First Baptist Church in Blackwell with Rev. Chester Ward of First Baptist Church in Shidler officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

The grandsons of Bill Patton will serve as casketbearers.

A memorial has been established in his honor with the First Baptist Church in Blackwell in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.