William "Bill" C. Patterson 81, of Effingham passed away peacefully at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, 2011.

Funeral services will be held Saturday July 23, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. in Bauer Funeral Home, Effingham. Visitation will be held Friday from 4 p.m. till 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oakridge Cemetery in Effingham with military graveside rites. Memorials may be made to the Effingham County Veterans Memorial Fund.

Bill was born on September 14, 1929,in St. Louis, MO, the son of Robert G. & Alvena M. (Wilkerson) Patterson. He married J. Marilyn Smith in 1951. She preceded him in death in 1990. He later married Geraldine Smith in 1991 and she passed away in 2004.

Bill was a driver for Yellow Freight Transit for 32 years. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Effingham, Effingham American Legion Post #120 and the Effingham V.F.W. Post 1769. He also served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

Surviving are his children: Sons: William Jr. of St. Louis, MO; Robert "Bob" (wife Lynn) of Effingham; Daughters: Jeanne Patterson of Effingham; Jennifer (husband Don) Dueker of Effingham and Corlyn "Cory" (husband Steve) Stumeier of Charleston. Step-daughters: Karen Jo (husband Tom) Rachels of Columbia and Judith (husband Joe) Wilshire of Waterloo. One Brother: Robert Patterson of St. Louis, MO. Sister: Shirley Hildebrand of Troy, MO. 12 grandchildren; 7 step-grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

He is preceeded in death by his parents; both wives; infant son John; one step-son: Robbie Smith and a grandson: Daniel Smith.