Patterson Completes Fifty Years
J. Will Patterson, mechanic in the
Plant Service Dept, at the Blanket
^ill, completed a half-century of con
tinuous service at the mills on Janu-
1, 1953. He was honored at a
luncheon at Meadow Greens country
club Wednesday and was presented his
®0-year diamond and gold service pin
Harold W. Whitcomb, assistant
Seneral manager.
At the luncheon, attended by mem
bers of general management and the
supervision at the Blanket and Sheeting
^ills, M. P. Miller read a telegram from
James L. Palmer, president of Marshall
pield & Company congratulating Mr.
^atterson on his outstanding record,
fetters were read from Milton C. Mum-
general manager of the mills, and
Whitcomb expressing the Company’s
appreciation of Mr. Patterson’s loyalty
faithfulness.
S- G. Strader, master mechanic at the
“lanket Mill spoke in praise of Mr.
atterson’s fine attitude and his coop
erative spirit and presented a gift on
behalf of Mr. Patterson’s associates in
the Plant Service Dept. J. H. Ripple,
manager of the Blanket and Sheeting
Mills and D. A. Purcell, superintendent
of the Blanket Mill spoke in praise of
Mr. Patterson, who responded stating
that he “considered Marshall Field &
Company a fine organization to work
for and that they have always treated
me well during my 50 years with them.”
Mr. Patterson has established one of
the longest records of continuous serv
ice in the- history of the mills. The late
E. D. Pitcher who retired in 1946 with
61% years of continuous service had re
ceived the 50-year and 60-year service
pins, but had worked 24 of his years in
the Wholesale Division. Oscar F. Fergu
son, now retired, received his 50-year
pin last January as the first man to
complete 50 years at the mills.
Mr. Patterson came to the Tri-Cities
from his native Henry county, Virginia.
He and his father, the late J. T. Patter
son, went to work in the Nantucket
Mill. Will Patterson has continuous
service since January 1, 1903. He worked
for almost 35 years in the Nantucket
Shop and has worked at Draper mills
since sheeting operations were consoli
dated in 1937.
He was a charter member of the Car
olina Cooperative Council and of the
Fieldcrest Mills 25-Year Club. He has
established an outstanding record of a
half-century of service during which
time he has been an expert workman
with regular attendance and a loyal, co
operative attitude.
He is married to the former Miss
Hannah Vernon of Rockingham county
who formerly worked as a weaver and
smash hand at the old Lily Mill, fore
runner of the present Rayon Mill.
Mr. Patterson has a brother J. T.
(Tommy) Patterson of the Finishing
Mill who has over 38 years of continuous
service.
Will Patterson has attended First
Christian church for more than 50 years
and has been a member of the official
board for a long time. He is a member
of the Junior Order and of Sioux Tribe
No. 28, Imperial Order of Red Men. He
owns his home on Pine street in Leaks-
ville.
'T^
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF 50-YEAR MAN WILL PATTERSON
the /Ju early riser, he enjoys making own coffee; (2) On
^eat Blanket Mill, he is expert lathe operator; (3) A
foot^ “cesser, he washes up before changing clothes m locker
Out of his shift; (4) His day’s work done, he walks
mill with Monroe Turner, an old friend; (5) Relaxing
^ONDaY, JANUARY 5, 1952
at home in the evening, Mr. Patterson is shown with Mrs.
Patterson, his brother J. T. Patterson, of the Finishing Mill
and sister-in-law Beatrice Patterson of Bleachery; (6) A
faithful member and board member at First Christian Church,
he is shown with pastor Dr. R. O. Respess.