Name: SUNSET NORTHWEST FUNERAL HOME
Address: San Antonio, TX

Mrs. Patterson, please accept my sincere condolences,Your husband was a great man and a great officer. I served under him at WHMC in the 1980's and he always struck me as fair, succinct, professional, and personable; he will be missed.

Linda and family,

Our deepest sympathies to you and the boys on your loss. You're not alone in your grieving.

Bill was a good friend and mentor. I remember being a brand new butterbar at WHMC way back when he was the chairman. It started with my first KEEP interview with him and continued throughout the years. He pinned on my Captains bars a long 3 years after this. Throughout the years and even though we were separated by varying distances, Bill was always just a phone call away. It would seem like we'd never left. I was so pleased when he agreed to emcee my retirement roast. I cannot begin to tell all the "Col P" stories I know - Bill Stigelman touched on several during his eulogy. I probably owe a large share of my success to the guidance and mentorship of Col P and the fine team he'd assembled at WHMC. I can only thank you for sharing him with us. 

Please know we and the rest of the USAF Pharmacy family are here if you need us. Please don't hesitate to contact any of us if you need something.

A Last Word about Col P.

So many people have come through these pharmacies and left little more than a brief memory. Col. P. was different; he will continue to make us smile with just the thought of him and when we do think of him, we will hear his voice; that fast-paced, somewhat nasally voice of his, reminiscent of an old time radio announcer. I remember when he helped emcee the retirement of Chief Morrison; he seemed to be where he should be; entertaining us.

We have to continue on with our lives and always remember Col. P. as a friend and co-worker; someone who deserved our respect; not only for his time in service but for the time he shared his life with us; he tried his best to keep the working atmosphere friendly and professional; something that is dearly needed in this place.

My personal working relationship with him spanned about 15 years. In the beginning, we only saw each other intermittently, but later I would get to work side by side with him; and being he was a retired, full-bird, made it kind of intimidating at first; then I realized what a down to earth man he was.

We never had to discuss politics, religion or anything that could drive a wedge between our working relationship. But whenever the subject of movies, music or the like came up and we could talk for hours. He also liked to talk about his early days in college and the Air Force.

During our Sunday morning meetings; at IHOP; he had so many stories. He managed to make Sundays at the robot, the best day of the week.

In closing, I would like to thank a friend, Adela Wells, for convincing me to quit my old job and come to Wilford Hall; one of the best moves I ever made. Because my being here, gave me a chance to meet and work with some of the finest people I have ever met.  But now, there is one less and Col. P., there is a space where you once stood, that will never be filled.
    
So now I want to say Thank You for all you were and all you’ve done.  The place just won’t be the same without you.  Thanks for your time… I’ll miss you….

Dear Linda,
I know you are still dealing with the shock of your tremendous loss.  May words may not relieve your pain, but Bill was a great mentor and friend.  I was blessed to haved worked with for 2 plus years at WHMC until he went to Randolph.  I returned in 1998 a Chief and Paul Shonebarger as Sqdn CC.  Bill had not changed.  He still had that great sense of humour.  He was a great leader and mentor to all.  He will be greatly missed by his Pharmacy Family also.  I know he is with Christ in Paradise for I know for certin he was a Christian.
Our Prayers are with you
Frank and Sherry Cox

Dear Linda,
  Diana and I will keep you and your family in our prayers.  Bill was one of those GREAT leaders who had the unique ability to make the young folks feel welcome and the wisdom to keep everything on track.  There were so many stories and instances throughout my career where I reflected on and used "Bill Patterson Stories".  I know many of those stories will live on for years to come.  Truly a mark of an outstanding leader.  Those of us who knew him will always have that special memory to keep us moving forward.

Linda,
Donna and I wish to extend our profound condolences in your loss. We will keep you and the family in our thoughts and prayers. Bill touched many lives in so many positive ways. May you somehow find God's perfect peace during this extremely difficult time.

Dear Linda:  Our prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time.  Bill was a colleague at Wilford Hall and a friend who shared lunch with me every Thursday at the Old World Delicatessen - a German restaurant that he and I both enjoyed.  I am proud to have served with him and I shall miss his marvelous sense of humor.  He always put the audience in stitches laughing when he spoke at retirement parties.  He is not forgotten, nor will he ever be; as long as life and memory last, we will remember him as one of the finest Air Force officers that we had the privilege of serving with.  In His mercy and love, God will forgive whatever sins we have committed through human weakness and bring us to eternal peace.
-Frank H. Wians, Jr., Lt Col (Ret), USAF, BSC
San Antonio, TX

Linda,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time.  Bill could always brighten your day with a joke or something witty that fit the occasion.  Once I told him I was going to Keesler and he said he remembered being there "where the sewer meets the sea".  He was always like that.  He will be missed.  May God bless and comfort you.

May GOD bless you and the rest of the family.  Ms. Patterson you and your family are in my prayers.  GOD BLESS
Ghitiana Oatis, Barksdale AFB LA

Dear Linda, Don't know if you remember me. I was a Sgt working for LTC Patteson. We went TDY to Little Rissington in England in 1984. He was a father figure to me. He helped me get accepted to Pharmacy School, (which AF wouldn't let me attend)  and then to PA School. I used to watch your house when you would go on vacation. Col Patterson was a kind, caring man who made such an impression on my life! I am only here, doing what I'm doing, because of him! I and my family will keep you and yours in our prayers in this tough time.

Sending many prayers and blessings for strength, courage and hope for your loss. As an impressionable Second Lieutenant in the Air Force in 1985, I am thankful for LtCol, then Col Patterson's humor in delivering a message packed full of experience and knowledge. He was one of "those Colonels" that was a doer and a shaker to serve as a pharmacy role model. He will be missed.

Dear Linda:  Jude and I send our heartfelt sympathies to you and your family on your tragic loss.  We will never forget Bill's wonderful sense of humor, his dedication to his Air Force Pharmacy colleagues and many friends, and the welcoming manner the two of you always extended to all of us who came to know you both.  None of us who knew Bill will ever forget him.

OBITUARY

William E. Patterson

November 24, 1941 – February 12, 2011

Sunset Northwest Funeral Home

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