William Brent "Bill" Fitzpatrick

FITZPATRICK, William Brent, 87, died July 12, 2017 in Somerset. Bill was born in Somerset on June 9, 1930, and was the son of the late Ernest and Mabel Lee Fitzpatrick.Bill was a graduate of Somerset High School and Fugazzi Junior College, a veteran of the Korean War, and was a trusted public accountant for many clients in Pulaski, Wayne and Clinton Counties.On November 27, 1954, Bill married the former Lida Lee Stines and they began their journey together which lasted nearly 63 years.Bill was a faithful servant of Christ. He and his family were among the first members of Beacon Hill Baptist Church. He served as a volunteer treasurer at Beacon Hill for more than 20 years--a service he also fulfilled for Ferguson Baptist Church. He taught Sunday School, and he and Lida touched the lives of many young people through their involvement in Training Union and by hosting many youth activities in their home. Bill also volunteered his time to coach youth softball teams for many years. Bill was most recently a member of First Baptist Church, Somerset, and they forged many close friendships in their time together there.Bill inherited a love of hunting and fishing from his father, and for many years endured Kentucky football as a season ticket holder. He enjoyed gardening for as long as he was able, and loved to pass hours watching birds and calling out to his neighbors from his back porch.As Lida often said of him, "Bill never met a stranger". He was known to engage in conversation with anyone he met, and was happy to entertain any topic. However, his favorite topic was his grandchildren, who were always at the forefront of his thoughts and actions.A great testament to the respect others had for Bill was when he was elected Mayor of Ferguson while away visiting relatives in Chattanooga. He won the majority of the vote without casting one of his own.He was a member of the National Society of Accountants, a Kentucky Colonel, and was the past president of the Somerset Cemetery Board.Bill is survived by his wife, Lida: two sons, John and Scott; a special daughter-in-law, Donna Jo; two precious grandchildren, Kirby and Riley; two brothers, Ernest Lee and Richard (and his wife Betty); and numerous family members and others who considered him as family.A very generous man, Bill would have encouraged memorial gifts in lieu of flowers to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Gideons International, and First Baptist Church of Somerset.Visitation will be Sunday, July 16 from 3-6 pm at Pulaski Funeral Home, and funeral services will be held at Pulaski Funeral Home on Monday, July 17 at 10:30 am with Dr. French Harmon officiating. Burial will follow in the Somerset Cemetery. Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post # 38.Pulaski Funeral home is honored to be assisting the family of Bill Fitzpatrick.