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Breeder/Owner William Patterson Dies at 88

Lexington breeder/owner William S. Patterson died Feb. 25. .

William S. Patterson

William S. Patterson

Courtesy Patterson Family

William Stacy Patterson, a prominent Lexington businessman and Thoroughbred owner/breeder, died Feb. 25. He was 88.

Patterson leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Margaret, sons Graydon (Marianne) and William H. M. Patterson (Jane), and five grandchildren, Griffin Bakhaus Patterson, Maddox May Patterson, Elizabeth Graydon Patterson, Katherine May Patterson, and William Stacy Patterson II.

Patterson was born in Salisbury, N.C. Sept. 19, 1932. He attended local schools until 1946, after which he graduated from Fishburne Military School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served as chapter president of Delta Kappa Epsilon, and as a member of the Honor Council and other organizations.

He served in the Army from 1954-56, after which he joined the O.A. Bakhaus Organization, working in Colorado and Wyoming. The firm was then sold to Consolidated Freightways, after which Patterson returned to Lexington. He assembled various coal companies that were eventually sold to Zapata Corp. He later took over management of Cumberland Surety and related entities.

Throughout his life, Bill, with his wife and sons, owned, bred, and raced many top Thoroughbreds. The family's Rose Hill Farm bred Qualique, winner of the 1983 Demoiselle Stakes (G1) and second dam of dual classic winner Afleet Alex. Patterson, with James Glenn, co-bred Forest Secrets, who won the 2001 Acorn Stakes (G1) for Debby Oxley.

As an owner Patterson had his best days on Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) weekend. He co-owned Phola, winner of the 2010 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes (G2T) and Hillsborough Stakes (G3T), and Juanita (by Mineshaft ), who scored in the 2012 La Troienne Stakes (G2). Juanita, a $25,000 claim, was later sold for $1.2 million at The November Sale at Fasig-Tipton in 2013 in foal to Medaglia d'Oro .

His family's farm is Glenary Farm in Franklin County.

Patterson served on the boards of the Bank of Commerce, First National Bank, and the Dupree Mutual Funds for 28 years. His civic involvement included the vestry of Walnut Hill Church, the Lexington Deaf Oral School, the Urban Renewal Agency, and Sayre School. He was also a member of the Keeneland Club and the Thoroughbred Club. His greatest enjoyment was the annual family trip to the beach in South Carolina, which he hosted for more than 50 years.

The family would like to acknowledge the special contributions and support of faithful friends Tony Elliott and Bill Adams.

Services include visitation March 2, 4-6 p.m. ET at Milward's, 159 North Broadway, Lexington. A private family service will be held at a later time. Memorials for Bill should be made to Old Friends Equine, 1841 Paynes Depot Road, Georgetown, KY 40324, or the charity of choice.