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William E. Patmon

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Active member of NAACP

William E. “Sugar” Patmon, 75, of Canonsburg, died Wednesday, January 22, 2014, in Canonsburg Hospital, following a brief illness.

He was born January 31, 1938, in Canonsburg, a son of Robert Henry Patmon and Charlotte Jean Vactor.

Mr. Patmon was a 1955 graduate of Canonsburg High School.

He had worked at United States Steel and Universal Cyclops in Bridgeville. He was employed by Canonsburg-Houston Joint Sewer Authority for 37 years, retiring as superintendent of the Canonsburg Sewage Treatment Plant in 1999. Following his retirement, he remained active by working at Shop ‘n Save in Canonsburg and as a security guard for Canonsburg Hospital, Washington County Health Center and G4S at Consol Energy in Southpointe for the last four years.

Mr. Patmon was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy. He was an air controlman-radar operator and flight crew member assigned to the airborne early warning squadron. During his service, he attended the U.S. Naval radarman school, where he graduated first in a class of 42.

He was an active member of the NAACP, where he had served as treasurer and in various capacities as an advocate for minorities, which resulted in him being the recipient of the human rights award in 1977.

During the 1960s and 1970s, he was active in the local civil rights movement and hosted a teen coffee house in Canonsburg.

Mr. Patmon was an avid supporter of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in life and their sporting endeavors.

He was a Golden Gloves boxer in his youth. He continued to enjoy local sports and the casino.

On April 23, 1960, he married Donna LaMarr Adams, who survives.

In addition to his wife, he leaves to cherish his memory four children, LaVette M. Archie (Emanuel) of Canonsburg, Jayme D. Patmon of Washington, Daughn LaRae Patmon of Houston and William E. Patmon III (Joni) of Canonsburg; eight grandchildren, Eric, Shane and Jarred Freeman, Deaven Allen, Tailur Jones and Zhiere, Janae and Kylie Patmon; six great-grandchildren, Aaliyah, Zhyen and Zaedyn Freeman, Avah Tisdale, Isaiah Calloway and Kaden Allen; a stepmother, Eva Anthony Patmon; two nephews and a niece that he raised like his own, Robert Owens of Canonsburg, Jason Lett of Avella and Gaye Patmon of Canonsburg; two brothers, Robert Patmon (Norma) of Manilla, Philippines, and Charles Patmon (Joyce) of San Diego, Calif.; two sisters, Charlotte McAllister (Ron) of Follansbee, W.Va., and Marilee Lett of Canonsburg; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and a community of people that loved him.

Deceased are a brother, Gaines Patmon, and a close cousin, Elgie Penn.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Ave., Houston, PA 15342. Additional visitation will be held from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, January 28, in Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Canonsburg, where services will begin at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil. Full military rites will be accorded by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 and American Legion Post 902 combined honor guard. Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.

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