William Walter Patterson

Mr. William Walter "Bill" Patterson, 73, of 928 Dan Valley Farm Road, Claudville, VA, passed away Wednesday night, May 1, 2013, at his home. Mr. Patterson was born December 31, 1939, in Oradell, NJ, to Viola Krause Patterson and the late William Luther Patterson. William worked as an electronics expert for the University of California for 26 years. During that time, he worked on the nuclear weapons program, oversaw the dismantlement of weapons at PANTEX at Amarillo, TX, in accordance with nuclear disarmament treaties, and provided support for missile launches in Hawaii and Alaska. Earlier in his career, he worked for the World Health Organization in setting up radio stations in the Central African Republic. Bill was an avid hiker and climbed most of the 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado. He loved exploring ghost towns. He was a lifelong amateur radio enthusiast and hobbyist. He loved the mountains of the West and the beautiful Virginia woods. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Peggy Patterson of the home; his mother, Viola Krause Patterson of Northborough, MA; his sister, Janet Patterson of Watertown, MA; his sister-in-law, Penny Lockwood of Saratoga, NY; his brother-in-law, Charles Pigott of Mount Airy; a niece, Sarah Lockwood of Davis, CA; and a nephew, Matthew Lockwood of Saratoga, NY. A graveside service will be held Sunday, May 5, 2013, at 3:30 PM at Oakdale Cemetery, with the Rev. Buford E. Jessup officiating. There will not be a formal visitation at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Feeding America Southwest Virginia, 1025 Electric Road, Salem, VA 24153. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the Patterson family.