Willard Leroy Patton

Willard Leroy Patton, 76, of Morganton, NC died Sunday, January 15, 2017 at his residence. He was born in Burke County, NC on July 5, 1940 and was the son of the late Hence Lafayette Patton and Edith Pearl Bolding Patton. Willard was a building contractor and partnered with his brothers at Patton Brothers Construction for many years building numerous buildings in Burke County and then was owner and operator of Brendletown Grocery until his retirement. He loved to travel, enjoyed being with people and carrying on conversations. Willard was a loving father and loved his family and enjoyed the outdoors and farming. He was a member of Westview Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by sisters, Bertie Branch, Elizabeth Lane and three infant siblings. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Una, Don, Robert, Nelson, Ronny, Harold, Logan and Douglas Patton.
Willard is survived by his wife, Clara Buff Patton; children, Cynthia Lynn Patton, and Melisa Patton Williams; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; step-children, Mark Walker and wife, Susan, Allen Walker and wife, Veda, Scott Walker and wife Frances, and Tammy Mullis; eleven step-grandchildren; brothers, Len Patton and wife, Nancy, Troy Patton and wife, Joann, David Patton, Alfred Patton and wife, Mary all of Morganton, and Edward Patton and wife, Karen of Huntingtown, Maryland; sisters, Eldorador Norman and husband, Dallas, Edith Worsham and husband, Darrell all of Morganton, and Kaye Cline and husband, Carl of Icard.
The family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at the Roy Shehan Fellowship Center. A service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at Nowlings Chapel Free Will Baptist Church with Reverends Daniel Hensley and Ricky Speagle officiating. Burial will follow at Westview Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Westview Baptist Church Building Fund, 3205 US 64 West, Morganton, NC 28655.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.