Position: first base/ third base/ catcher Bats: right Throws: right

Pat was born to Hallie Pickett Patterson and Willie Lee Patterson Sr. on April 1, 1919 in Americus, Georgia. He was the oldest of the six children, having four younger brothers and one younger sister.

As a young man, Pat could play baseball and the people in Birmingham that knew it. Early in his career, the industrial teams for the Republic Steel Company would seek to recruit Pat and his brother every for Saturday games.

In 1946, shortly after the end of the war, Willie jumped on an opportunity to join the roster of the Birmingham Black Barons. He played both catcher and third baseman for manager (and second baseman) Tommy Sampson. By 1948, Pat was picked up and toured with the Memphis Red Sox and later that year the Chattanooga Choo Choo's. The Chicago American Giants grabbed Patterson in 1949 and by the start of the following season; he was on a ride across many of the rosters of the Negro American League. His travels also included a stint in the Canadian Provincial League. His performance in 1952 earned him a spot at first base in the annual East-West Game. In 1954, Pat joined the Louisville Clippers only effort as a league team. Their roster was comprised of many familiar ex-Birmingham Black Barons.

After the sun set on his baseball career, Pat worked as a longshoreman. In his twilight years, Pat was remembered for his contribution to the game of baseball and to the Negro Leagues in which he played. He was proud of his being inducted into the Black Baseball Hall of Fame in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Willie Patterson remained friends with a great majority of his old teammates. On a January morning in 2002, I caught up with Willie at a small hall in Mobile Alabama. He was playing dominoes with a few of his longshoreman friends. We left the hall and drove to see fellow NLB Living Legend and friend Frank Marsh. I witnessed a special relationship between these two friends that I truly admired. Frank's genuine respect for Pat's seniority was very apparent. He encouraged Pat to tell stories that he had heard so many times before, just to hear his animated voice and watch his body language once again. Sharing a few moments with these men was a very special occurance for me.

Pat spoke of events he remembered and opportunities that crossed his path. He once turned down the effort of Abe Saperstein's Harlem Globetrotters team to get him to join their traveling show to Japan. He spoke often of his friends and teammates:

On James "Fireball" Bolden: He was a masterful pitcher and had he not been hurt in a mining accident, there would be no telling what he may have achieved. He could pitch, had a great variety of stuff, great control, and fierce talk for the batter's he faced.

On Laymon Ramsey: Many batters feared his unorthodox style of pitching. Laymon could throw the submarine style pitch with great success.

On Willie Wells: He was the greatest shortstop that ever played the game; A magician on the baseball diamond.

On Parnell Woods: a fantastic third baseman for the Cleveland Buckeyes - a great hitter and fielder.

Pat left us in 2004. I recall his presence when I play back interviews and hear his deep raspy voice. I share a feeling of loss with his friends and family but remain forever grateful for that brief moment that I had the opportunity to know him personally.