Mr. William Shelton Patillo Sr.

William "Bill" Shelton Patillo, of Pittsboro, N.C. passed away on June 16, 2023, with his children lovingly by his side after a nearly 5-year battle with cancer. Bill was born on October 7, 1945, to Edward Lewis and Lorraine Patillo in Portsmouth, Virginia. From his early rearing, Bill was taught responsibility, the importance of family and doing what's right, even if it may not appear to be fair in the moment. This seed that was planted by his parents early took root and would give way to Bill's love and commitment to his family, and strong work ethic. From his very humble beginnings, he entered the workforce in his teen years to help support his family. His first job was as a student in high school where he worked at General Forms & amp; Plastic/Starband, in Portsmouth, Virginia. After graduating from I.C. Norcom High School, Portsmouth, VA., in January 1965, he joined the US Air Force in June 1965 and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSGT). He stationed at George Air Force Base, California, where he was awarded Airman of the year. He completed his military service in 1969.

In July of 1965, he married his first spouse Evelyn Jones, whom he had known since childhood and whose family worshipped with his family at what was formerly known as Union Holiness Church, Portsmouth, VA. From this union he fathered three children, Loren Pantschyschak, William S. Patillo Jr., and Tonya P. Harris. In January 1970, he joined a public utility, Washington Gas, headquartered out of Springfield, VA, as a serviceman in Appliance Service. With a strong determination, love, and commitment to his family, while working as a full-time serviceman, in 1978 Bill obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Federal City College, Washington, DC. He would later go on to pursue a master's degree but was unable to complete his studies due to his wife becoming ill. Although later separated from his first wife, he never hesitated to take care of her as best he could. He supported her in every way possible while providing for his three children.

In August 1983, he married his second spouse Beatrice Stevenson Mahoney from Washington, DC, who predeceased him in March 2015. From this union he was blessed to have two bonus children, Lisa Ann Wallace (predeceased in 2005), and Herbert Wendall Wallace.

Bill's formal education, strong work ethic, and commitment to success would later lead him away from field work as a service man, down a management path entering him into Communications Planning and Development ("Comm Plan & Dev). By 1990, Bill had moved over into Environment & Safety within the company. Finally, after his stretch in Safety he moved into Human Resources and the Benefits section from which he retired as the Dept. Head. Bill was very dedicated, he had a very rewarding and successful career at Washington Gas for 35 years, retiring from the public utility in March 2005. Bill was a force of nature, determined to provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved. His family meant more to him than anything else in the world. He was unendingly proud of his children and grandchildren and would often say, "My children are my greatest accomplishment." He always tried his best to support them in any way he could.

Bill was a very responsible and hardworking man who loved family and friends immensely.

Some of Bill's hobbies included fishing, photography, sports-of which he was a die-hard fan of the Washington Redskins - before they became known as the Washington Commanders; he also enjoyed music, and playing cards, specifically bid whist.

Bill would later many his third spouse, Ramona A. Wallace, in July 2022.

Bill was a good-hearted person at his core, the kind of person who drew people in and he always tried to help others-he was truly his brother's keeper. He exemplified Rom. 12:10, "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another" Emphasis added throughout). He often put the needs and welfare of others before his own. Bill's sacrificial love of family and others will never be forgotten. Anyone who knew Bill knew that he was the most loving father a family could ask for and the friend you could always count on. Above all, Bill was a child of God, who loved his church family. He was a vested member and officer at Holland Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Apex, NC, where he faithfully served as a Trustee, on the Usher board, and wherever else there may have been a need.

Bill was predeceased by his parents Edward Lewis Patillo in 2009 and Lorraine Patillo in 1984. Survived by and left to cherish his memory is his sister Mary Ellen Parker, his spouse Ramona A. Wallace, her son Ryan Helm and granddaughter, Ryleigh Helm; his loving children Loren M. Pantschyschak (Shawn Pantschyschak), William S. Patillo, Jr. (Chekera L. Patillo), Tonya P. Harris, and bonus son Herbert Wendell Wallace (Cynthia Wallace) from his second union with Beatrice Patillo, and grandchildren Dionte W. Wallace, Jack W. Lee, III, William S. Patillo, III, DaJuan X. Patillo, DaVaun T. Patillo, Tyrus J. Spears, Kiersten Z. Harris, Makai D. Patillo, great-grandchildren Jayden Wallace, Taryn Wallace, Kendall Wallace and a host of cousins and dear friends.

Rest in Eternal Glory daddy. For you have indeed "fought the good fight, [you] have finished the race, [you] have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for [you] a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give [you] at that day: and not to [you] only, but unto all of them also that love his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:7-8, Emphasis Added).

Our father's fight was about perseverance and continuing onward and upward in faith even when the road was hard and the path uncertain. He leaves a wonderful legacy for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

**We apologize for the inconvenience but due to technical difficulties, the service for Mr. Patillo was not live streamed**

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