William A. "Bill" Patton

October 22, 1939 - November 15, 2019

William A. “Bill” Patton, age 80, of Versailles, passed away Friday, November 15, 2019, at his home. He was born October 22, 1939, in Leachville, Arkansas, a son of the late Vester and Frances Patton. On July 12, 1958, in Leachville, he married the love of his life, Myra Jo (Sisk) Patton, who preceded him in death on February 14, 2018. In 1966, he and Jo relocated to Versailles to become an integral part of the launch of the Brown Shoe Factory in town. Later, they owned and operated the Montgomery Ward Catalog Store in Versailles for many years. Bill worked at Dixon Ticonderoga in Versailles in the maintenance department as an engineer. He owned a machine shop for several years until his retirement. Bill was a past member of the Kiwanis Club, the Versailles Masonic Lodge #320, served on the Morgan County R-II School Board and was a member of the Versailles First Baptist Church. He was a builder, spending time collecting and constructing wooden steam engines and also building three homes with Jo. In his spare time, Bill enjoyed art and woodworking. Bill’s family was most precious to him. He loved them and treasured the time he spent with them. He is survived by his daughter, Penny Haile of Versailles; grandchildren, Miles Westhues, Tanner Westhues and Morgan Westhues; his mother, Frances Patton of Monette, Arkansas; his sister, Linda Drury of Tupelo, Mississippi and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Vester Patton, his sons, Michael Patton and Brad Patton, brothers, Henry Patton and Franklin Patton, his sister, Alice Hodges and two son’s-in-law. A private celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be in the Versailles Cemetery next to his beloved wife, Jo. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Versailles First Baptist Church. Cremation arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home of Versailles.