William W. Patterson Jr.

William W. Patterson, Jr., born on Sept. 28, 1912, died on Dec. 17, 2012, in Harlingen, Texas, where he lived for over 20 years. He was raised and spent the majority of his life in the Finger Lakes region of New York. He was 100 years old at the time of his death. For many years, he owned and operated Central New York Freightways, and was a former president of the New York State Motor Truck Association. He also was a partner in the Aurelius Gas Co. Inc., and W.W. Patterson, Inc. Even with all of his business activities, he never forgot his love of the family farm. Until his dying day, he was interested in what was happening back home on the farm. He served as a director of the Cayuga Lake National Bank from 1966 until 1990, was a commissioner of the Aurelius Fire Department for 30 years, and past master of the Warren-Salem Town No. 147 F&M, in which he was a member for nearly 78 years. He was also a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, a past president of the Auburn Shrine Club, a past president of the Auburn Kiwanis Club, and served on the Cayuga County Legislature from 1976 to 1981. As a very spiritual man, he was a former member of Union Springs Presbyterian Church and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Auburn. He served many positions in his churches, worked on various church committees, and was devoted to his Bible studies. He took active roles in helping his community, especially the local hospitals. He also had been very involved with the Shriners Hospitals for Children. William Patterson loved his family. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor C. Patterson, of Harlingen, Texas; his son, William W. Patterson, III and his wife, Judith, of Fulton; his daughter, Elizabeth P. Newman and her husband, Robb, of Ashton, Md.; his daughter-in-laws, Connie Patterson, of Auburn and Diana Earnst and her husband, Paul; stepsons, Robert Binney and his wife, Cathy and Michael Lewis; stepdaughter, Gail Russell and her husband, Irv; 10 grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and six step-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Alma Tincknell Patterson; his second wife, Elizabeth Clark Patterson; two sons, Frederic H. Patterson and Philip M. Patterson and stepdaughter, Maggie Lyon. He was also predeceased by his sister, Lydia P. Hecht and her husband, Marco Hecht. Surviving are their children, Stephanie Foster, William Hecht and Edith Gibbs. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, at the First Presbyterian Church of Auburn, 112 South St., with the Rev. Eileen Winter and the Rev. Janet Newman officiating. Friends may visit with the family immediately prior to the service, from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Members of the Warren-Salem Town Lodge No. 147 F&M will conduct a Masonic Service at 1:45 p.m. Interment will be at Oakridge Cemetery, Town of Springport. Contributions may be made to Auburn Kiwanis Club, Warren Salem Town Lodge #147 Free and Accepted Masons of P.O. Box 11, Union Springs, NY, or the Auburn Shrine Club, c/o David Bowman, 5 Third Ave., Auburn, NY 13021, in the name of William W. Patterson, Jr.