William Patton

1921 - 2018

William Patton obituary, 1921-2018, Deerfield, IL

William Patton Obituary

Patton, William Ashberry Was born on April 16, 1921, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the Reverend Burns S. Patton, and Beatrice Woods Patton. His parents and seven siblings preceded him in death. The names of his siblings were: Eliza Banks, Marshall Patton, Burns Patton, James Patton, Fredrick Patton, Robert Patton, and Frank Knox. He professed Christ at an early age and was literally raised in the Church. His father founded and served as Pastor of Phillip's Chapel CME Church, in Cleveland, Ohio. That tradition was continued by Mr. Patton's brother, the Reverend Marshall Patton, who also served as Pastor of the Church, which is now known as Patton Memorial CME Church, named after the Reverend Burns S. Patton. Mr. Patton graduated from Central High School in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1939. After graduation, he managed a grocery store until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1942. He was promoted to sergeant and placed in charge of the "Colored Enlisted Men's Club" at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, where he booked such acts as Count Basie and Duke Ellington, to entertain the young soldiers who were preparing to go off and fight in World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1947. He moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked for the United States Postal Service, at the Main Post Office in downtown Chicago. While registering for classes at Woodrow Wilson Junior College (now known as Kennedy-King College), he met the love of his life, the beautiful and charming Aimee Ruth Ware. They married in 1955 and remained married until her death on January 21, 2010. They were married for almost 55 years. Mr. Patton joined the Chicago Police Department, as a Patrolman in 1954, and was sent to the old Marquette station where he became the first African-American assigned to work the front desk. Later, he was assigned to the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, where he was beloved by the students, as well as the faculty, and staff. He was later assigned to Cregier Vocational High School as the school officer. Some of the students that William counseled went on to become printers, mechanics, upholsterers, teachers, policemen, and other professionals, including ministers. Many of them sought Mr. Patton out in later years to thank him for his guidance. While at Cregier, he created a basketball league. Various police teams would play the Cregier boys' basketball team in tournaments all over the City. These tournaments were covered by both major newspapers, and sometimes, Channel Nine News. As a result of this program, Mr. Patton received letters of commendation from O. W. Wilson, Superintendent of Police; Ben Willis, Superintendent of Schools; Richard J. Daley, Mayor of the City of Chicago; Otto Kerner, Governor of the state of Illinois; and, John F. Kennedy, President of the United States. Mr. Patton was promoted to Youth Officer in 1966. During his tenure, William was assigned as a bodyguard to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., during his "Poor Peoples Crusade" in Chicago. He also worked the riots, after Dr. King's assassination, and the riots in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic National convention. He continued his education while working full-time as a police officer, and graduated from Kennedy King College in 1959, with an Associate degree, and from Roosevelt University in 1964, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. He was registered as a Certified Social Worker with the State of Illinois. Because of his quiet demeanor, professionalism, and outstanding ability to resolve serious issues involving young people, the Chicago Board of Education asked Mr. Patton to join the Chicago Public Schools as a School Property Security Inspector in 1969. He worked in that capacity until his retirement in 1986. Mr. Patton attended Metropolitan Community Church from 1943 until his transition. He was a member of the Men's Club, and often gave the closing thought for Men's Day. He was a soft-spoken individual with a strong demeanor. He had the type of personality that enabled him to diffuse any situation. He loved his beautiful wife, his family, his church, his friends, and the Chatham Community, where he lived for over 50 years, and helped establish a community park named after Nat "King" Cole. He really enjoyed working with and advising all people, young and old, but most of all, he loved God, which was shown by the way he interacted with everybody, regardless of race, creed, color, gender, or age. William Ashberry Patton quietly and peacefully went Home to be with the Lord on May 14, 2018. He leaves to cherish his memory a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives, as well as numerous friends and associates. He will be missed. Services: Visitation, Sunday, May 20, 2:00-7:00 p.m. at Leak & Sons Funeral Chapels, 7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago, IL 60619 (773) 846-6567. Wake, Monday, May, 21, 10:00-11:00 a.m. Funeral, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Metropolitan Community Church, 4610 S. Prarie Ave., Chicago, IL 60653.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on May 18, 2018.
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2 Entries

Wow what a career I wish I would have known and worked with Officer Patton may he rest in a well deserved peace.

Dave Sandlund

May 20, 2018

a loved one

May 19, 2018

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Memorial Events
for William Patton

May

18

Funeral

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Metropolitan Community Church

4610 S. Prarie Ave., Chicago, IL

May

20

Visitation

2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Leak and Sons Funeral Home - Matteson

3501 Lincoln Hwy., Matteson, IL 60443

May

21

Wake

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Metropolitan Community Church

4610 S. Prarie Ave., Chicago, IL

Funeral services provided by:

Leak and Sons Funeral Home - Matteson

3501 Lincoln Hwy., Matteson, IL 60443

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