W.T. Patterson

William Taft (W.T.) Patterson, 78, of New Concord, Kentucky, passed from this life on February 12, 2021 at his daughter's home in Nashville, Tennessee after a courageous year-long battle with cancer.

W.T. was born July 7, 1942 at his family's homeplace on the Tennessee River, now known as Patterson's Landing in Kentucky Lake, near New Concord, to William Taft Patterson and Louise Oliver Patterson.

He was a lifelong member of the New Concord Church of Christ where he also served as an elder for the last 22 years.
W.T. attended Murray State University where he received a Bachelor's degree as well as two graduate degrees (a Master's degree and Education Specialist degree). He was an educator in the Calloway County School System for 34 years. During that time, he taught, coached multiple sports, and was a principal at Faxon Elementary, served as an assistant boys' basketball coach at Calloway County High School, worked as a school bus driver, and taught multiple subjects at East, Calloway County Middle School, and Calloway County High School. After his retirement, he was named an honorary Kentucky Colonel for his many years of faithful service to his community.

He was beloved by all and always enjoyed laughing and playfully joking. He loved the outdoors and was known for growing the best tomatoes, which he shared with everyone. He loved tending his garden and at different times dabbled in such hobbies as bee keeping and propagating fruit trees. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved taking adventurous rides on his four-wheeler with his trusted canine buddy Spike, training hunting dogs, and working on his many projects – he could build or fix just about anything. On game days, you could find him at home cheering on his beloved University of Kentucky Wildcats or St. Louis Cardinals.

Mr. Patterson is survived by his cherished wife of 50 years, Linda; his daughter Paige Pope and her husband Tim of Nashville, Tennessee; his son Payton Patterson and his wife Kristy of Panama City, Florida; six grandchildren, Will and John Andrew Patterson of Panama City, Florida, Rivers and Ava Pope of Nashville, Tennessee, Chory Pope of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Abby Pope of Birmingham, Alabama. He is also survived by his sister Peggy Mitchell and her husband Darrell of New Concord, Kentucky, who were his next-door neighbors and best friends for the past 50+ years. He is also survived by his special sister-in-law Miriam Joiner of Atlanta, Georgia. Other survivors include niece, Darra Benson, great-niece, Lauren Rojas (Hector), and great-nephew, Will Benson, as well as numerous other cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.

Mr. Patterson will be honored at a visitation and celebration of life service on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at J.H. Churchill Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Murray, Kentucky. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am and will be followed by a 1:00 pm service, which will also be livestreamed on the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home and Cremation Services Facebook page for those wishing to watch from home. Burial will follow in the Murray City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to the West Kentucky Youth Camp in Marion, Kentucky.

Online condolences can be made at www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com