William Michael Patrick

William Michael Patrick, 74, of Carterville, passed away on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at his home. He was born on April 11, 1951, in Nowata, Oklahoma, the son of Wanda Lorraine (Cole) and Warren S. Patrick. He married Susan Ragge on Valentine’s Day in 1981, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Michael grew up in Carmi, Illinois, a member of the First Baptist Church family. He played multiple sports, winning the Punt, Pass, and Kick contest for five years running. When a severe football injury ended his playing sports, he developed his love for music and vocal talent with credit and admiration to Mr. Michael Croghan. He performed folk-rock harmonies and was a member of the SIUC Men’s Glee Club. But his most memorable gigs were on holiday road trips in the Patrick family truckster with the likes of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, The Moody Blues, and once a year, Arlo Guthrie for 18 minutes and 34 seconds.

He was a commercial driver for over 38 years. He drove a mail truck round trip from Carbondale to Chicago 120 times a year. When blizzards closed businesses and cancelled school, he drove. But, when spring came, he’d be across James Street with Kristen or Sean sitting on a 5-gallon bucket of balls hoping his glove would survive the next pitch. Later on, he transported veterans to medical appointments over a three-state area. Michael was honored to serve these brave men and women, to know their stories, and considered this the best job he ever had.

Michael’s pride and joy were his children. He invested all he had and all he knew in what he loved. Then his children’s children stole their Bompa’s heart clean away and that was fine with him.

Michael is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Susan Patrick; son, Sean (Shalae) Patrick; daughter, Kristen Burroughs; grandchildren, Tyler and Turner Patrick, Lincoln and Warren Burroughs; sister, Peggy (Enrique) Sierra; brother, Jim (Cindy) Patrick; cousins, Robert “Pat” (Susan) Patrick, Bill (Zita) January, Page (Carol) Cole; and other dear family and special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and cousin, Max Lee January.

Maybe you knew him as Sean or Kristen’s dad, or as a little league coach, or as the umpire who called you out on ball four (c’mon Blue!). Maybe he called an ambulance, then waited with you until it got there. Maybe he gave you a dollar, then sold you his pick-up truck for that dollar because you really needed it. Maybe you prayed for him when the cancer first came or when it came again. God Bless you. Maybe you were extra kind when he needed it most. Thank you. Michael was never famous. They won’t lower the flag for him today. But, to a handful of folks and four precious grandchildren, he was an MVP.  Thank you, Lord, for the extra time. We had a good run.

2 Corinthians 5:8: We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Amen.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville, with the Rev. Paul Hicks officiating. Burial will be in Willowrest Cemetery in Carterville. Visitation will begin after 5:00 p.m., Monday, February 9, 2026, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to the JALC Baseball Team or the JALC Softball Team or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

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