William Patterson

On Friday, December 10, 2021, William Michael “Mike” Patterson was ushered into the presence of his Lord while on a hunting trip with his son Bobby and his grandsons Ryan and Zach, where he passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was born on April 6, 1948. His seventy-three years of life were a world-wide adventure of seeking souls to lead to his Savior and influencing others to join him in the monumental task of world evangelism.

Mike’s humble roots were in Kennedale, Texas. He loved being in the outdoors, especially if it included hunting and fishing. He graduated from Kennedale High School in 1966. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington as an Engineering student, until God called him to preach. He studied for one year at Arlington Baptist College and later transferred to Tennessee Temple Schools in Chattanooga, where he graduated in 1972.

Life changed and time stood still when he met Rebecca Ann “Becky” McCoy in 1969 in Fort Worth, Texas. For fifty-three years, she was his sweetheart, prayer warrior, encourager, and caregiver. When doctors were stumped, she would humbly suggest a solution that often saved his life.

Mike loved being a member of Worth Baptist Church. As a passionate preacher of the Gospel, the special emphasis on missions at home and abroad captivated his heart. He received many accolades and recognitions, including an honorary Doctor of Divinity, but preferred to refer to himself as “God’s messenger boy.”

As he began in ministry, the Lord used him as an Assistant Camp Director, Assistant Pastor, Chaplain, and Preacher of the Gospel. Then, in 1974, God called Mike and Becky to the country of Mexico, where he would serve those whom he called “My People.”

After serving in Tlahuapan and Tepoztlan, Mike founded the Mount Abarim Baptist Church of Cuernavaca in 1984, which was used by God as a pattern for hundreds, if not thousands, of other churches in Mexico. From the very first service, the small group began supporting foreign missions. Now, almost forty years later, that church has sent out over one hundred fifty messengers of the Gospel to the far reaches of the world. A strong emphasis on soul winning and foreign missions was coupled with a love for people, and God greatly blessed.

When Mike was called to serve as the President of the Mount Abarim Baptist Mission International in 1996, God led him to begin a Mexican Division for assisting missionaries. Mexican missionaries would soon be found in countries around the world. Additionally, he led the Bethesda Children’s Homes in Tlapa de Comonfort, Mexico, founded by Becky’s father, Ralph G. McCoy. The children’s homes have raised and educated thousands of children from all over the mountain regions of Guerrero, continuing the legacy started by Becky’s father and her brother, Lyle McCoy.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Opal Patterson; his brother, Bob Patterson; and his grandson, David Levi Gibson.

Mike is survived by his spouse Becky Patterson of Arlington, Texas; Bill (Marcy) Patterson of Arlington, Texas; Bobby (Jackie) Patterson of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Joy (John) Gibson of Woodhaven, New York; Jennifer Patterson of Fort Worth, Texas; and Allison (Jeremy) Anderson of California, Missouri; twelve grandchildren: Heather, Ryan, and Tricia Patterson; Lauren, Hayden, and Owen Patterson; Zach, Hannah, and Valerie Gibson; Lillie, Eleanor, and Levi Anderson; and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.

A visitation and memorial service will be held at Worth Baptist Church 4900 Campus Drive, Fort Worth, Texas, 76119, on Thursday, December 16. The visitation will be held from 11 AM to 1 PM, with the memorial service immediately following at 1 PM. Burial will follow at Emerald Hills Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Mount Abarim Baptist Mission for the ongoing projects at the Bethesda Children’s Homes Farm. Condolences may be left on the Emerald Hills online guest book.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Russell James and Jeff James of the War Horse Ranch in Uvalde, Texas, where Mike spent the last 2 days of his life hunting with Bobby, Ryan and Zach, for their special assistance after his homegoing. In addition, the family thanks Worth Baptist Church and Pastor Tyler Gillit for their assistance and expressions of love in these difficult days.

Mike’s favorite verse was Psalm 2:8 “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” This was Mike’s prayer, and God graciously answered through the many lives that Mike influenced for reaching others with the Gospel.