Patrick Willingham

Patrick Willingham passed away peacefully at his Farm Quail Rise Monday, January 8th, 2024, and is survived by his wife Kimberly Thomasson Willingham, daughter Hillary Layfield (Ted), grandchildren Zane and Luna, stepson Trent Rankin, sister Mary Stringfellow (Dave), and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his Father Harold Lloyd Willingham and Mother, Constance Willingham Little, Sons Barron and James (Chip) Willingham, and stepson Thomas Rankin. Pat was an amazing man of many talents including being an expert Pilot for many years, a Captain. and award-winning saltwater fisherman. He also was an avid and successful game hunter at his Farm Quail Rise where he spent many years building and adding onto his large deer hunting preserve. In his retirement years Pat devoted time to all his hobbies, especially his love of Classic Cars, their restoration and upkeep. He will be forever loved and missed by many people, and we will treasure all of the good times and memories with this great man.

Patrick Willingham received a Bachelor of Science degree and attended the Master of Business Administration program at the University of Alabama. Prior to joining Community Health Systems in 1985 where he served as President & CEO and Chairman of the Board for 25 years, he served as Vice President of Finance for Drummond Coal Company, a former client, which grew from $45 million to over $700 million in revenues during his tenure, and as a Manager for Arthur Young & Company, a Big Eight CPA firm where he managed numerous consulting engagements with a variety of clients. Mr. Willingham is a Certified Public Accountant and earned the highest grade on the May 1971 exam.

Mr. Willingham was one of the founders of Walker Regional Medical Center and Community Health Systems. Prior to his employment by Community Health Systems, he contributed thousands of hours of professional services to the organization without compensation, while at the same time serving as a busy executive for a rapidly growing international corporation (Drummond Coal). In the late 70's Mr. Willingham was approached by a coalition of physicians and business leaders to author a feasibility study to consolidate two older existing hospitals in Jasper, AL. and build a new, state-of-the-art all private room hospital which could attract and support highly qualified physicians and staff, and service the needs of Walker countians into the future. After the highly successful consulting engagement Mr. Willingham was asked to join the new hospital as President & CEO, and after the first several years he was elected Chairman of the Board, a position he held until his death in 2024.

During his tenure with Walker Regional Medical Center Pat led the Hospital Board in transferring the liability and operations of the entity to a corporate holding company, Community Health Systems Inc. for sustained professional management and growth. As President of Community Health Systems, Inc., he was the guiding force behind its growth and continued success in a changing and uncertain healthcare environment. In 1995, sensing that the days of single hospital systems were in peril, Mr. Willingham was able to transfer the sole corporate membership of the hospital and associated health care holdings to Baptist Health Systems for what was then the highest per bed sale of a hospital. Together with his Board and a few key executives Pat led a pivot from an acute care focus to a focus on senior living, hospice, home health, home medical equipment, pharmacies, management and consulting services and hospital joint ventures. He provided the leadership and vision that developed Community Health Systems into the dynamic, diversified service organization it is today.

Perhaps his most philanthropic act occurred in 1995 following the divestment of Walker Regional Medical Center. Upon a request from John T. Oliver, Jr., Pat Willingham as Board Chairman and

the Community Health Systems Board committed $6 million in proceeds to fund an endowment for the area that the hospital traditionally served. This donation was the foundational gift which created the Walker Area Community Foundation (WACF). The WACF has for the intervening quarter century funded worthy causes that might otherwise go lacking.

Other highly influential and notable community leaders involved in the formation of the foundation were the late J. George Mitnick and E. A. "Larry" Drummond. Together, Oliver, Drummond, Mitnick and Willingham created a foundation that will forever serve as resource for solutions to our community's greatest problems.

In 1997, the first seven grants were awarded in the amount of $289,300. The first three years of its grant-making included funds dedicated to aid in the construction and operation of the building that we now call the Jasper Civic Center. Inside the Center, there is only one room named in dedication, the Patrick Willingham Exhibition Hall.

In the 28 years since the foundation was created, the Foundation's endowment has grown from the original $6 million to more than $120 million and its Community and Component funds have awarded nearly $50,000,000 in grant dollars to more than 3,600 grants representing more than 150 nonprofit organizations in our area.

According to Pat, "If you had told me 20 years ago that this Foundation would have grown like it has and had the profound impact in this region it has had, I never would have believed it." With evident emotion, Pat went on to say "looking back on my life, this Foundation is one of my proudest accomplishments".

Pat was the last living founding member of the Walker Area Community Foundation and its longest serving Director (Active and Emeritus). As the Foundation approaches its 30th anniversary, we celebrate one of those who gave it life, we celebrate Pat Willingham and the legacy of a life spent in service to the community and people he loved.

Mr. Willingham served as a member or director of many and varied professional and civic organizations and was awarded honors and distinctions too numerous to list. He employed well over one thousand individuals and significantly advanced the quality of care and services to seniors in Alabama.

There will be two Memorial and Celebration of Life Services. The first will be in Orange Beach, Alabama on Wednesday, February 7th, 2024, 4:3opm with Reception to follow at The Coastal Arts Center on Canal Road.

The second one will be Thursday, February 15, 2024, 1pm, with Reception to follow at The Jasper Civic Center in the Auditorium named in his honor.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Walker Area Community Foundation or St. Jude's are requested.