Eric Bernard Patterson, one of Patterson's three children, said his father was an adored man who would help out anyone and would regularly give women roses at nursery homes.
"He was an outstanding figure, just an inspiration to all," Patterson said.

 
The elder Patterson also is survived by two daughters, Ashley Michelle Patterson and Temple Patterson.
Wallace was born on Nov. 18, 1942. According to a Barnum Funeral Home obituary, he was nurtured by his beloved grandparents, Johnnie and Mamie Patterson is a product of the Americus-Sumter County Public Schools and The South Georgia Technical and Vocational School.

His military experience led him across the globe, from South Carolina to Korea.
Wallace was the General Manager for Mobile Home Products and was employed by Dill's Florist at the time of his death.
Wallace also was one of the founders of the Americus-Sumter Observer and the paper's first circulation manager.
"He was so proud of the Observer and he was equally proud to be a part of something positive and productive," said John Marshall, the Observer's publisher and editor.
"He was not controversial at all but he was able to help fight for the downtrodden masses of Blacks in Americus by associating with the Observer."
Christopher Davis, a paginator for the Observer called Wallace a "quiet fighter who stayed out of the limelight but he was a very loyal team player."
"We will miss Wallace's smiling face," Davis said.

Patterson was an active member of the American Legion #558 in Americus.
He was a sports fanatic and loved football. The younger Patterson said his father didn't have a favorite football team but enjoyed joking on friends when their team lost.
While he joked around, Patterson said his father was a serious minded person who admired honesty.
"He wanted you to be a man of your word," Patterson said.