William J. Patton (Bill)
Colonel William Patton was born in Birmingham, Al on June 17, 1949, the son of James Patton and Dorothy Patton. He was an Eagle Scout and a graduate of W A Berry High School and the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He was commissioned in the Air Force via the Reserve Officer Training Program. He received his pilot wings at Craig AFB, AL in 1972. Following completion of USAF survival schools, he attended B-52 qualification training prior to assignment to the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville AFG, AR. He survived as copilot in support of Arc Light and Bullet Shot operations in Southeast Asia, assigned to U-Tapao Air Base, Thailand and Anderson AFB. Guam, Colonel Patton served in pacific Air Forces as a Senior Controller assigned to the 848 AC&W Squadron, Republic of the Philippines prior to upgrading to B-52 aircraft commander, as outstanding graduate, with the 77th Bomb Squadron. Colonel continued serving through many areas of the Air Force until he separated from active duty in 1989. Colonel Patton joined the Arizona Air National Guard in 1990 as a traditional guardsman and became a full-time air technician in 1991. Colonel Patton was a Command Pilot with over 6300 flying hours in B-52D/F/G/H, F-4D and KC-135 E/R aircraft. He has flown missions in support of operations in Asia, including desert Shield, Operation Allied Force, Deny
Flight, Phoenix Scorpion II and Operation Enduring Freedom. Colonel Patton served as the Wing Commander of the 161st Air Refueling Wing, as well as too many other accolades to list.
Colonel Patton was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Lannie Lacson Patton of Thorsby, AL and his brother David (Karen) Patton of Ellijay, GA. Nephew, Garrett Patton and niece, Rachel Patton as well as cousins and dear friends.
Colonel Patton was an avid fan of the University of Alabama including serving as team manager under Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. He loved music and could pick a mean banjo or guitar! Colonel Patton was a true American hero!
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Wounded Warriors or Rocky Mount Methodist Church in Jemison, Alabama.
Funeral services for Colonel Patton will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 beginning at 9:30 for visitation with a memorial service at 11:00 at Rocky Mount Methodist Church 14731 County Road 51, Jemison, followed by a military service at the Alabama National Cemetery in
Montevallo at 2:00 PM.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Andrew Zurick on May 8, 2025. Robert passed away at his home in Laveen from natural causes at the age of 66.
Robert was born on December 19, 1958, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, and moved with his family to Phoenix in 1974. After graduating from Cortez High School, he chose to serve his country and did so proudly as a full-time member of the Arizona Air National Guard. At his unit, the 161st Air Refueling Wing, he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant and served for 23 years while first assigned to Security Forces then to the Base Operations Center. Upon his retirement from the military in 2003, he worked for the U.S. Department of Interior as a paralegal until his retirement in 2017.
Robert’s interests included music, attending concerts, firearms, and fast cars. He was generous and always ready to listen and help any of his friends or family. His memory lives on with his sisters, Michele, Maureen, Catherine, Andrea and his brother Patrick, as well as numerous loving relatives residing in Illinois, Minnesota and here in Arizona. He will also be missed by his lifelong friends that he made in the military and in the Laveen community. Robert was predeceased by his father and mother, Andrew and Patrica Zurick, both veterans of World War II.
A funeral with military honors will be held on August 4, 2025, at 9 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery, 2929 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix. A reception will follow at the American Legion Post 107, 20001 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. Please join us to share or listen to stories of Robert as we have lunch and tip a beverage to his memory.
In lieu of flowers request donations may be made to the Copperhead Top 3, https://square.link/u/72vqHIuQ a private organization that promotes the welfare of enlisted airmen assigned to Robert’s former unit, the 161st Air Refueling Wing.
From Paula Penson:
It is with indescribable sadness that I let everyone know of the death of my husband, Lt Col David S. Penson,
US Air Force retired. He was an amazing husband, father, step-father, grandfather, veteran and friend.
He will be interred in a veteran cemetery in East Tennessee in June.
We know he is with Jesus and all his loved ones who went before him. So we are at peace for him; we mourn for us.
Prayers for his family and loved ones as we go through this transition in all our lives.
Paula Penson
Wife and Best Friend