William "Bill" Ward Patterson

William "Bill" Ward Patterson October 10, 1933 - June 13, 2021 Cashmere, Washington William "Bill" Ward Patterson was born October 10, 1933 to Ward and Erma (Wright) Patterson in Phoenix, AZ and passed away, Sunday June 13, 2021 with Barbara, his wife of sixty-five years, by his side. He was the third son, following Sam and Jim. After Bill came one more boy, Mike, and a long-awaited daughter, Patty. Sadly, she died before her second birthday. During World War II, the family lived at a dam and the brothers "helped" guard it from the enemy. They had a lot of stories about that time in their lives. The brothers went to Rural Grade School, a small school in Tempe, AZ for agricultural families. Attending Tempe Union High School, Bill continued his record of straight A's. He was on the Honor Society and was Student Body President. He played in all the sports but excelled at baseball and football. As a senior, he was All State Quarterback during which he lost his front teeth and banged up both knees, resulting in his being graded "4F" for the Korean War. In 1955, he married Barbara Quinn Smith and adopted her daughter, Debra Sue Smith. Bill started his career in Law Enforcement in 1956 as a Tempe Police Officer. He was 22 years old. He would stay at TPD for almost 15 years, achieving the rank of Lieutenant and heading each division at one time or another. Mark joined the family in 1957 and Brent in 1959. It wasn't always easy being a law enforcement family, especially during the 1950's and 60's with the prevalent riots, bombings, hate and discontent, but the family was so proud of him and his profession. Hearing that the Pacific Northwest might provide a more positive lifestyle, the family packed up and moved to Wenatchee in 1970. Bill tried a few other jobs, (driving forklift, and even selling insurance!) but soon, Sheriff Dick Nickell called and offered him a job at the Chelan County Sheriff's Office, as the Lake Wenatchee Deputy. Bill called it "God's Country" and Sheriff Nickell was "god". While at CCSO, Bill held the positions of Deputy, Sergeant, Detective, Chief Criminal Deputy and Assistant Coroner at various times. He was well known around the northwest as a homicide detective, even having some of his cases featured in magazines ("True Detective") and being mentioned in books by authors, such as Ann Rule. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Ward and Erma, a sister, Patty, his 3 brothers, Mike, Sam and Jim and his mother-in-law Imogene Quinn. As Dad left on his last journey, we are sure his last words to us were "Be Damn Careful Out There". He leaves behind his wife, Barbara, daughter Debra Davis (Mike), son Mark (Bonnie) and son Brent (Tori), Grandchildren Justin, Krissy, Tyler, Danny, Nick, and Jarrod, Sister-in-law Betty Moeur (Mike), Sister-in-law Susie Cochran, four Great -Grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the Cashmere Care Center for their loving care expressed for our "Spicy" husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. As per dad's wishes a private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.