William Russell Patterson ^{1 2 3}

   FamilySearch ID: L6SW-8PP.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Newspaper: Times-Mirror, 21 Aug 1951, Warren, Warren, PA. ⁴ Penelec Lineman Killed Instantly In Columbus Twp
William Russell Patterson, 27, 404 Euclid street, Corry, veteran of World War II and employed by the Pennsylvania Electric Company as a journeyman lineman, was killed instantly Monday afternoon about four o'clock when he is believed to have accidentally touched a 12, 470 voltage power line while helping to complete installation of a transformer on a utility pole on the Columbus-Lottsville road about five miles east of Corry. Patterson and a fellow-employe, Johnny Chillock, 30, also of Corry, had been engaged during the day installing the transformer which replaced a smaller one. Upon discovering the accident, Chillock mounted the pole and applied emergency resuscitation methods until a physician summoned from Corry arrived. Chillock, completely exhausted and suffering severely from shock, was taken to the Corry Hospital in the Bracken & Keating ambulance, and today was reported as much improved. The details leading up to the tragic death of the lineman had not been determined this morning. An exhaustive investigation was launched at the scene last evening and continued today. According to E T Cherry, district manager, of Corry, the men had completed the routine operation of replacing the transformer on the pole, and it is believed that Patterson was engaged in the act of hooking up the primary with the use of what is called 'a hot stick.' 'Everything was supposed to be cold, except when connected through the use of the hot stick,' Mr Cherry stated. The body was badly burned from the head to the waist, indicating that the deadly current passed through from side to side, and not from head to feet. Metal articles, such as a mechanical pencil and the wiring in glasses he was wearing were seared black. A certificate of death by accidental electrocution was issued by Coroner Ed Lowrey. W Russell Patterson was born March 25, 1924, son of Mr and Mrs George L Patterson, of Corry. He is survived by his wife Ethel J, a stepson Carmen Rainei (sic) [Rainieri], his parents, a sister Mrs William Durham, brother J Robert Patterson and paternal grandmother Mrs George Patterson, all of Corry. A number of nephews and nieces also survive. The victim of the accident was considered one of the most capable employes working in the Corry district. A veteran of World War II, he had been employed as a policeman in Corry and at one time worked for the Ajax Co. Since his affiliation with the company, December 11, 1947, he had been given numerous advancements. He attended a Linemen's Training School held some time ago in Corry, taking the rigid instructions required for the position he held. He was especially trained in the use of protective equipment. The accident interrupted the service on the line through to Sugar Grove. The body is at the Bracken & Keating Funeral Home in Corry. It is expected the services will be held Thursday, the details of which will be announced later.

2. Newspaper: Titusville Herald, 21 Aug 1951, Titusville, Crawford, PA, United States. ⁵ Penelec Worker Gets Fatal Shock
CORRY, Aug 20 - (AP) - William Russell Patterson, 27, of Corry, was electrocuted today when he accidentally touched a high voltage power line while completing installation of a transformer on a utility pole of the Pennsylvania Electric Company five miles east of Corry. Patterson, a World War II veteran, was a former policeman in Corry.

William married Elsie Mae Clark, daughter of Earl Erwin Clark and Joanna Josephine Weed. The marriage ended in divorce before 1950. (Elsie Mae Clark was born on 9 Jun 1923 in North East, Erie, PA,^{1 6 7} died on 5 Apr 1971 in Erie, Erie, PA ^{6 7} and was buried on 7 Apr 1971 in North East: North East Cemetery, Erie, PA ⁶.)