William Clyde Patton, Jr.

Abingdon, VA – William Clyde “W.C.” Patton, Jr., age 90, passed on Thursday, December 4, 2014, in Atlanta, GA. W.C. was born and raised in Clincho, VA and moved to Abingdon in 1939. Mr. Patton was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII and received the Purple Heart for wounds sustained while fighting in five different battles. He landed at Normandy Beach eight days after the invasion and spent time in England, France, Belgium, Germany, and Czechoslovakia. W.C. had been a member of Abingdon Baptist Church since 1939 during which time he spent 40 years as the Treasurer, was a Deacon Emeritus, operated the sound system, received the Caleb Award, and took part in the activities of the church. He is preceded in death by his parents, William Clyde Patton, Sr. and Dora Belle Kiser Patton, and sister, Virginia Jones. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Martha Calhoun Patton; one daughter, Mary Beth Sweeney and husband Bill of Alphretta, GA; two granddaughters, Megan and Kathleen Sweeney; nephew, George Blevins and wife Jane; and neice, Susie Butner. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 9, 2014, at Abingdon Baptist Church with Dr. Steven Pollard officiating. Visitation with the family will be held 12-2 p.m. just prior to the service. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with the men of Abingdon Baptist Church serving as pallbearers. Military Rites will be conducted by Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and the Virginia National Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Abingdon Baptist Church, 361 West Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, in Mr. Patton’s name. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register. The Patton family is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276)623-2700.