Joe Patton

William Joseph (Joe) Patton, 86, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, Feb. 2. Survived by his loving wife JoAnn (nee Lambert), brother George (Irma), Santa Clarita, Ca., daughters Crystal Harlow of Groveport, Whitney Patton (Dwayne Brown) of Alexandria, Va., son Jim (Cindy) of Willoughby, stepdaughters Vickie (Bill) Davis of Galloway, and Kammy (Bob) Staton of Prospect.  

Also survived by beloved grandchildren Nick Meyers, Garrett (Angela) Davis, Kelsey (Trey) Westrick, McKenzie Davis, Sam and Isabella Brown, and great-grandchildren McKenna Westrick and Reed Davis, and many nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ella and Bratcher Patton, as well as brothers Frederick, Frank, Millard, Bob, and sisters Ruby and Eva. 

Joe proudly served his country in the U.S. Army.  While stationed in Germany as a staff accountant, he had a brief brush with fame when he encountered a better-known enlisted man, Elvis Presley, who came into the office to pick up his paycheck.  

A long-time resident of Hilliard, Joe owned and operated Patton Interiors for nearly 20 years. He loved his community and served as President of the Capital City West Rotary Club, where he enjoyed presiding over “The Great Debate” before the annual Ohio State Michigan game.  A 32nd-degree Mason, he and Joann enjoyed attending many social activities.  

Joe never met a stranger. In his later years, he enjoyed driving for Uber, where he loved meeting new people, befriending them, and learning their stories. On one such ride, he met Nick Ashill’s wife and daughter, who had flown in from New Zealand to be at Nick’s bedside at OSU Hospital following a hit-and-run accident while completing a charity run across America. Joe befriended Nick and attended to him through his long convalescence, and ultimate return to finish the race.     A notable rider was Anderson Cooper, who was on his way to moderate the Presidential Debate in Columbus and who ultimately used a question Joe shared during his ride.  

Joe also enjoyed regular meetings with the old-timers club at McDonald’s. Senior coffee was consumed, and world problems were solved.

A man of great faith, Joe and Joann were longtime attendees of Northwest Chapel in Dublin, where they loved participating in Adult Bible Fellowship.  

A Homegoing service is planned for Monday, Feb. 6 at Northwest Chapel. The family will receive friends from 10-11 am, with service at 11. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks a donation be made in Joe’s name to the Motts Military Museum. https://mottsmilitarymuseuminc.com/