William M Patrick, born October 6, 1945, passed away March 5, 2013. Diagnosed a little over a year ago from an aggressive type of lung cancer, he died due to its complications.
Bill is survived by three grandsons; his sister, Diana Patrick Fry (SPHS '61); brother, Douglas Patrick (SPHS '62); and nieces and nephews.
Great Tiger football player. Part of only 2 sets of siblings inducted into the SPHS Athletic Hall of Fame - Bill and brother Doug for football and Ed (track) and Al (football) Loosli. RIP, Bill.
The last time we emailed, you were going to were a kilt to the picnic to see if i could recognise you. My prayers are now to your family, after your struggle with cancer. Thanks for keeping in contact the past couple of years. You will be missed--Ron
I was a sophomore on the '62 football team with Bill. I was only 14 (and couldn't suit up for the varsity games since you had to be 15 to play varsity football--not that I would have). Bill was an all C.I.F. fullback that year, which was also my position. I watched him always, hoping to pick up some pointers.
I finally became eligible for the 2nd playoff game vs. West Covina. That week (and the next) when the offensive linemen and the backs worked together, Bill told me to take all the reps at fullback; he said it was so that I could get better, but I heard Bill joking with some of the other backs that he just wanted to rest and take it easy. I didn't mind at all, but I did get a little tired during those 20-25 minute sessions!
During the track season that year, I ran the 440 (I wasn't particularly good at that event that year-- one HAS to be a superior runner/athlete to compete in that event). During the San Dieguito relays, we had a chance to win that meet. Alan Test who was a 100/220 sprinter, as was Bill, wanted to be a member of the 4x440 race; if we won that race, we would win the meet. Bill then came over and got into Alan's face. Bill was really intense, actually he was somewhat inebriated as was Alan, and Bill said that he was going to be on the relay team instead. Coach Ken Swift saw what was going on, jogged over, and came between them. Ken quickly made the decision that BOTH would run the relay. I was flabbergasted! Not that Swift had come to that decision (there was real concern that Bill and Alan would get into a physical altercation), but that both Bill and Alan HAD NEVER run a 440; no one in his right mind EVER volunteers to run a 440! I was to run the 2nd leg, traditionally run by the slowest of the 4 relay runners. Just before the race began, Bill came over and said in no uncertain words that I had better NOT screw up the race. Bill's implication was clear what would happen to me if we lost that race-- as I wrote, Bill was inebriated and I had no doubt that I did not want Bill to see me after the race. We did win the race, setting a new school record, 3:24, in the process. Bill did come over to me afterwards and said, "You did good kid!"
Years later I messaged Bill and we "talked" for awhile. Upon learning of Bill's passing, I was saddened and felt a profound loss. I was proud and still am proud that I was a teammate of Bill's on both teams. The world became a little bit worse on his passing.
Steve Ledder (1960)
Great Tiger football player. Part of only 2 sets of siblings inducted into the SPHS Athletic Hall of Fame - Bill and brother Doug for football and Ed (track) and Al (football) Loosli. RIP, Bill.
Steve Ledder
Jeremy Durfee (1963)
Miss you, my friend. So many good times still rattle around in the brain.
Ron McLean (1963)
The last time we emailed, you were going to were a kilt to the picnic to see if i could recognise you. My prayers are now to your family, after your struggle with cancer. Thanks for keeping in contact the past couple of years. You will be missed--Ron
James Tomlin (1961)
Bill was an amazing athlete, football, baseball & track, and a great kid. Shy with this all senior team.
Loren Scott Shumer (1965)
I was a sophomore on the '62 football team with Bill. I was only 14 (and couldn't suit up for the varsity games since you had to be 15 to play varsity football--not that I would have). Bill was an all C.I.F. fullback that year, which was also my position. I watched him always, hoping to pick up some pointers.
I finally became eligible for the 2nd playoff game vs. West Covina. That week (and the next) when the offensive linemen and the backs worked together, Bill told me to take all the reps at fullback; he said it was so that I could get better, but I heard Bill joking with some of the other backs that he just wanted to rest and take it easy. I didn't mind at all, but I did get a little tired during those 20-25 minute sessions!
During the track season that year, I ran the 440 (I wasn't particularly good at that event that year-- one HAS to be a superior runner/athlete to compete in that event). During the San Dieguito relays, we had a chance to win that meet. Alan Test who was a 100/220 sprinter, as was Bill, wanted to be a member of the 4x440 race; if we won that race, we would win the meet. Bill then came over and got into Alan's face. Bill was really intense, actually he was somewhat inebriated as was Alan, and Bill said that he was going to be on the relay team instead. Coach Ken Swift saw what was going on, jogged over, and came between them. Ken quickly made the decision that BOTH would run the relay. I was flabbergasted! Not that Swift had come to that decision (there was real concern that Bill and Alan would get into a physical altercation), but that both Bill and Alan HAD NEVER run a 440; no one in his right mind EVER volunteers to run a 440! I was to run the 2nd leg, traditionally run by the slowest of the 4 relay runners. Just before the race began, Bill came over and said in no uncertain words that I had better NOT screw up the race. Bill's implication was clear what would happen to me if we lost that race-- as I wrote, Bill was inebriated and I had no doubt that I did not want Bill to see me after the race. We did win the race, setting a new school record, 3:24, in the process. Bill did come over to me afterwards and said, "You did good kid!"
Years later I messaged Bill and we "talked" for awhile. Upon learning of Bill's passing, I was saddened and felt a profound loss. I was proud and still am proud that I was a teammate of Bill's on both teams. The world became a little bit worse on his passing.
Requiescat in pace Bill.