William Lawrence (Billy) Patterson, Sr.

William Lawrence (Billy) Patterson, Sr., age 83, of the Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Center died Thursday, August 24, 2006 in the Laurens County Hospital.
He was born in Lanford, SC and was a son of the late William L. and Janie Fleming Patterson.
Mr. Patterson was a graduate of Laurens High School, Class of 1940, and a graduate of Wofford College. He served during World War II in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp.
Mr. Patterson was a member of First United Methodist Church of Laurens. He served on the Laurens County Board of Education, was a member of the South Carolina State Highway Commission, and served as Laurens District Commissioner for Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Patterson was a Director on the board of Piedmont Rural Telephone Cooperative, Inc. and was the first chairman of the Board of Rabon Creek Rural Water District.
Mr. Patterson owned and managed Southern Underwriters, Inc. Insurance and Real Estate Agency.
Surviving are his wife, Betty Brown Patterson of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Ann and Dave Clites of Alexandria, VA, Patrice and Van Abernethy of Charlotte, NC; three sons and daughters-in-law, Lawrence and Rosemary Patterson of Laurens, Walter and Leni Patterson of Laurens, and Van and Anne Patterson of Laurens; ten grandchildren.
Graveside services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 26 in the Laurens City Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. in the Laurens First United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Laurens First United Methodist Church, 244 W. Main St., Laurens SC 29360.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall.
The family will be at the home of his son, Walter Patterson, 1808 S. Harper St. Ext., Laurens, SC or other family members respective homes.
Gray Funeral Home of Laurens