William "Bill" Emmett Patrick 72 of Abilene Texas passed into the loving arms of the Lord on September 12 2012 at a local hospital after a lengthy battle with cancer. The family will be receiving guest for a visitation Sunday 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at North's Memorial Chapel. The funeral will be Monday at 11:00 a.m. also at North's Memorial Chapel 242 Orange Street.  Stan Alcorn will be officiating. A private graveside will be held following the service at Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. This will be limited to family and Masonic friends. Bill was born on April 8 1940 in Jackson Mississippi to William Luke and Claudia Breazeale Patrick where he was raised until he joined the military at the age of 15. He served in the Army before joining the Air Force. He was a Vietnam veteran and served 21 years before retiring at Dyess Air Force Base he then worked several years as Salesman & Finance Manager at Toyota of Abilene after which he returned to Dyess to work in the civil service for the next 27 years. Bill was a Past Master and Life Member of the John Sayles Masonic Lodge a life member of the VFW #6873 and a member of the Central Gem & Mineral Society. He is preceded in death by his parents William Luke and Claudia Patrick Eakes; step-father Perry Eakes; and grandson Kelly Taylor Wells. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Harryette Patrick; three children Billy Patrick and wife Angie of Abilene Susan Patrick Wells and husband Donnie of Hewitt and Terri Patrick Kreizenbeck and husband Mark of Abilene. He was Papaw to Cade Patrick Melanie and Payton Wells and Ashlea Kameron & Kolton Kreizenbeck. He is also survived by one brother Jerrell Patrick and wife Evelyn of Jackson Mississippi and Betty Patrick Ivester and husband Lee of Mooresville North Carolina; sister-in-law Charlotte Dison of Kingsville TN ; and brother-in-law Robert Comer of Lake Whitney Texas. Some of his favorite pastimes include fishing hunting and reading to the 2 nd graders at Bassetti Elementary School where he was a surrogate "Papaw" to the students. Bill was a loving husband father and Papaw. He was also well loved by many for his generous community service. We will miss his "larger than life" personality and "tall tales". Bill had a loving heart towards animals and could never turn away a stray. He has now joined his loving furry friends in heaven that have passed. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Rescue the Animals. The Family would like to extend their gratitude to all who supported Bill through his illness and the family will be at 4115 Richland Court Abilene Texas to receive friends and family. Online condolences may be made at www.northsfuneralhome.com