William R. Patterson – Colonel, United States Army

From a contemporary press report

William R. Patterson, 88, a retired Army colonel who specialized in transportation engineering, died of congestive heart failure June 10, 2001, at the Belvoir Woods Health Center at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Colonel Patterson, who lived at The Fairfax at Fort Belvoir, was born in Pittsburgh. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy. During World War II, he served in Europe and participated in the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944. Later service included occupation duty in Japan and postings in Korea and the United States. He had lived in the Washington area for 42 years. He retired from military service in 1963.

In retirement, Colonel Patterson was a financial aid officer at Georgetown and George Washington universities. Until October, he counted cash receipts at Joe Ragan’s Coffee Co.

Survivors include his wife, Anne L. Diebold Patterson of The Fairfax; five children, Lance M. Patterson of Lorton, Kevin R. Patterson of Chatham, Mass., Brian W. Patterson of Manassas, Lally A. Anderson of Annandale and Mary Beth Ragan of Springfield; a brother; a sister; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.


PATTERSON, WILLIAM R., COL. USA (Ret.)

On Sunday, June 10, 2001. Col. Patterson is survived by his beloved wife, Anne L. Patterson and their five children, nine grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and his brother and sister. Funeral services with full military honors will be held Wednesday, July 11, 2001, at 12:45 p.m., at the Old Post Chapel at Fort Myer. Interment will follow at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Retired Officers Association, 201 N. Washington St., Alexandria, Virginia.

Read our general and most popular articles

Leave a Comment