|
Laconia, N.H. William Cox Patterson, 79, of 11 Pine Brook Lane, died on Monday June 21, 2004, after a brief illness. Mr. Patterson was born September 22, 1924, in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, the son of Thomas M. and Emma (Cox) Patterson.
After returning from European combat in WW II he graduated from the College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University. He was named the "Outstanding Senior of the Class of 1951."
He became the first professional forester of the Ward Lumber Company of Jay, NY, and later it’s general manager. He was responsible for planting millions of white pine seedlings in the Adirondacks and recognized for establishing ten of the first Tree Farms in New York State. He came to the Lakes Region in 1959 to manage the Laconia Milling Company in Lakeport. He later built and managed the Grossman retail operations on that site. Mr. Patterson went on to become a vice president and director of Prescott Lumber Company of Meredith. When Prescott later merged with the Gerrity Lumber Company, he was named a vice president of their operations. After retiring from the Gerrity companies, he represented the McQuesten Lumber Company interests in Northern New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.
He had been an officer or director of numerous professional, trade and civic organizations, including 40 years in the Laconia Kiwanis Club. He was a long time member of the Laconia Congregational Church. He was a Registered Professional Forester and a licensed broker. He made numerous trips to Washington on behalf of the NH Retail Lumbermen’s Assoc. to confer with members of Congress on industry and environmental matters and was named "1992 Lumber Person of the Year" for devoted outstanding service to the lumber industry, the environment and his community.
Bill, with his wife, Marion, was an avid Nordic skier and mountain climber and enjoyed their summer camp with their family on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Marion (Wells) Patterson, and three daughters, Janice Locke of Merrimack, NH, Marcia Patterson of Scottsdale, AZ, and Judith Wing of Milford, NH; a granddaughter, Molly C. Wing of Milford, NH, numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by three brothers and two sisters, Thomas Magill Patterson, Jr., John Brisbain Patterson, Frank Karnes Patterson, Mary Patterson Yerkes, and Harriett Patterson Ultes.
There will be no calling hours.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 25, 2004 at 2:00 PM at the Laconia Congregational Church, Veterans Square, Laconia, NH. Rev. Carolyn H. Keilig, Interim Associate Pastor of the Church, will officiate.
Private burial will be in the family lot in Oakland Cemetery, Meredith, NH.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, 54 Portsmouth Avenue, Concord, NH 03301.
Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is in charge of the arrangements.
|
