Philip B. Patton, Jr., 92, died Tuesday afternoon, March 14, 2017, in Waco. He was born July 23, 1924, in Nashville, Tennessee to Philip and Irma Meadors Patton. He had been a longtime resident of Winnie, Texas.
Mr. Patton always took great pride for his military service during World War II.He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp on Nov 16, 1942, at age eighteen. After stateside training on the east and west coast, he was deployed to the South Pacific and a member of the USMC 3rd Division. He participated in action against the enemy in Bougainville (Nov 1-Dec 15, 1943), Guam (Jul 21-Aug 15, 1944), and Okinawa (Apr 1-Jun 21, 1945). He was discharged from the USMC on Nov 27, 1945, with rank of sergeant.
The family he leaves behind includes his children, Michael Patton of Amarillo; Patti Patton Royal, of Waco; Don Patton and his wife, Denise, of Beach City; and Scott Patton, of Chino Valley, Arizona; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Joanne Patton Clinard; nieces, and nephews.
Philip was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of sixty-eight years, Lillie Zapalac Patton; sisters, Maydene Patton Bess, Beatrice Patton Taylor and Phyllis Patton Russell; brother, Leonard Patton; and daughter-in-law, Virginia Patton.
A gathering of Mr. Patton’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at Broussard’s, 134 Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at St. Louis Catholic Church, 315 Buccaneer Dr, Winnie, Reverend D. Stephen McCrate officiating. Interment with Military Funeral Honors will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Providence Hospice of Waco or to the Salvation Army .
