Obituary of William Thomas Patton

With family by his side, Bill Patton passed away peacefully on May 2, in White Rock, B.C.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 72 years, Lillian, his son Allan Patton (Diane Marklinger), and his daughters Joanne (John) Douglas, Kathleen (Robert) Gibbings, and Barbara (Bill Brown) Patton; his grandchildren Sara (Matt) Billy, Jennifer (Greg) Robinson, Courtney (Phillip) Bunz, Liz (Evan) Kuley, Jeff Gibbings, Colin (Bekka Paslawski) Gibbings, Graeme Gibbings, and Lindsey Gibbings; and his great-grandchildren Destiny, Dalyn, William, Eleanor, Douglas and Nadia.

Bill was born in Saskatoon on April 21, 1928.  A natural salesman and entrepreneur, Bill found his success especially in the car business. Following time as sales manager at Mid-City Motors in Saskatoon, Bill purchased the Ford dealership in Regina, Canadian Motors Ltd., eventually including in his operations Datsun (Nissan), British Leyland, Mazda and Honda dealerships, as well as Canadian Autobody, Canadian Autoglass, Canadian Upholstery, Rad & Brake and a Chrysler dealership in Richmond, B.C.

Bill served on the board of directors of SaskPower. In the 1970’s, Bill was part owner of the Regina Pats hockey team, and took great joy in their Memorial Cup victory in 1974.

Bill loved to work and to interact with customers. After Bill and Lil retired to White Rock, he continued to work in sales well into his 70’s. Having come from very little, Bill always treasured the dignity of a job. Throughout his entire life he was very successful at doing things his way.

What was most important to him, though, was his family. The light in his eye was always brightest when children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were near.

A service will be held at a later date, when Bill will be inurned at the Columbarium at St. John’s Cathedral in Saskatoon.