George William Patrick

Mr. George William Patrick, age 87, of Richlands, Virginia, passed away Saturday, December 29, 2012 in a Chilhowie, Virginia nursing home following a lengthy illness. He was born in Russell County and was the son of the late William Isaac and Victoria Dye Patrick. He was a retired Sergeant First Class, serving 33 years in the Army and the Virginia National Guard. Enlisting in 1943, he became a member of WWII famous Merrill Marauder, seeing combat in Burma and after the end of the war, he served as an instructor to the Chinese Nationalist Forces until his return to the United States in the late 1946. He enlisted in the Virginia Army National Guard in 1955 and retired in 1985. After the war, he worked as a salesman for 7Up Bottling Company in Richlands, Virginia until 1957 when he started his own wholesale candy and tobacco company in Richlands and Honaker until his retirement in 1990. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star for Valor, Combat Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, American Defense Medal, Army National Guard Service Medal, Army National Guard Commendation Medal, and the Virginia Army National Guard Meritorious Service Medal. In 1988, he was presented the Nationalist Chinese Meritorious Medal by the National Chinese Government in Washington, DC for his service in China. He was a life member of the Casey-Shortt VFW Post #9640 and the American Veterans Association Honor Guard and Tazewell County Chapter #31 DAV. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Ruth Dye Patrick and five sisters, Virginia Patrick Comer, Shirley Patrick Wilson, Emma Jean Patrick Pruett, Amanda Caroline Patrick, and Florae Patrick. Survivors are: Three Sons: John William Patrick (LTC Ret.) and wife, Patricia of Knoxville, Tennessee George Michael Patrick of Richlands, Virginia Michael Shannon Patrick and wife, Shelia of Richlands, Virginia One Sister: Louise Dye of Rustburg, Virginia One Brother: Russell Lee Patrick and wife, Jackie of Richlands, Virginia One Grandson: Aaron Patrick also survives. Funeral services for George William Patrick will be conducted Wednesday, January 2, 2012 at 2:00pm at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Dennis White and Rev. Grady McGlothlin officiating. Entombment will follow at the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery Mausoleum at Richlands, Virginia. Pallbearers will be: Roby Perry, Bun White, Jerry Honaker, George Cox, Scott Honaker, Eddie Patrick, and Richard Smith. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Russell Patrick, Chad Patrick, Chris Patrick, Larry Dye, Morgan Patrick, Darrell Addison, and Ira Perry. Members of the American Veterans Association Honor Guard will conduct military graveside rites. Friends may call after 6:00pm Tuesday evening at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at: www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

George William Patrick

October 1, 1925 - December 29, 2012