William M. Patterson

–  03/06/2018

 

William M. Patterson 94, of Estes Park, Colorado, and Huntley-Del Webb, IL.Veteran Army/Air Corps. WWII Era. Beloved husband of the late Barbara nee Krisch. Loving father of Cheryl (David) Taylor, William L. (Lore) Patterson, Jill (Patrick) Bartel and the late Mark Patterson. Cherished grandfather of Adam (Courtney) Bartel, Amy (Mykel) Roche, Allison Bartel, Brett (Agneiska) Patterson, Blake Patterson, Leigh (Rocco) Calendriccio, Laura (Shawn) Finer. Great grandfather of 10. Fond brother of George (the late Gloria) Patterson and Katy Ericksen. Uncle and great uncle of many.

‘Wild Bill’ as he was known to many, folded his tent early Tuesday morning, at Belmont Village in Carol Stream, IL . Prior to taking residence at Belmont, he lived with daughter Jill and son-in-law Patrick for 6 months until his blindness forced him into assisted living. Bill spent 9 lovely years with his wife in spiritual marriage, Evelyn Olbrich,  in Huntley Del Webb. With the help of Evelyn’s loving children, Brenda and Mike Hoffman, their children, Ali and Steven, and Brenda’s sister, Cindy, and brother-in-law Tom, their children, Melissa and Ryan, Bill was doted on and was able to share his many life stories.
Bill was born in Oakland, California, along with his brother George, to Ernest and Aldean Patterson. After a few years, Aldean’s fear of earthquakes prompted the family’s move to hometown Ft. Morgan, CO., where their little sister Katy was born. In his youth, Bill played on the High School Golf Team, as well as earned the title of Eagle Scout after many years of scouting. Following in his parent’s footsteps, he attended the University of Colorado- Fort Collins, but enlisted in the Army Air Core his sophomore year. His training took place in San Antonio, TX where he then became a pilot instructor and ultimately met the love of his life. He met Barbara Krisch on a blind date, and they married in Phoenix in 1945. After his service in WWII, Bill and Barb had their 4 children in San Antonio, and Bill went to work with Barbara’s father selling black and white televisions. A job opportunity in Colorado brought the family back to Ft. Morgan for 3 years, then another job in sales took the family to Hastings, NE where Bill and Barb raised the kids. Bill traveled every state in the Continental US and upon his retirement, Alaska and Hawaii were visited. Hawaii became Bill’s favorite where he became an avid scuba diver.  Bill and Barb moved to Estes Park, CO to enjoy their retirement years and remained in the mountains until Barbara passed away in 2005. 

Bill was a loving husband, admiring father and grandfather, loyal brother and friend, an esteemed salesman, a tenacious explorer, and a relentless adventure seeker. From teaching young cadets to fly in WWII, to hiking the mountains of Colorado, and exploring the depths of the ocean around the world, Wild Bill was always up for a unique and challenging experience. Those who knew him well, knew of his many escapades, as he loved to recount these exploits in fine detail. His astounding stories will live on in the memories of those who loved him dearly, and we’ll continue to share the extraordinary accounts of his life. For those of us who loved him deeply and knew him fully, he was more than just a husband, father, grandfather, brother, etc, he was the Jacques Cousteau and Patriarch of our family. He was a legend. 
 

Services and Interment are private. Arrangements by Steuerle Funeral Home 630-832-4161

 

 

 

Guest Book: http://www.legacy.com/link.asp?i=gb000188387088