William Michael Patterson was born in Newcastle on 11 April 1936 and educated at Sale Grammar School. He worked as a technical sales engineer. He played at centre for Sale and Wasps and for North Western Counties against three international touring teams - Australia in 1958,as captain against South Africa in 1960, and New Zealand in 1964. In 1959 he joined the British Isles' tour of Australasia as a replacement before he was capped by England. He scored eight tries in 11 appearances for the Lions and played in the third test against New Zealand. Later that year he was again drafted in to play for England & Wales against Scotland & Ireland. He eventually gained two caps in 1961. Bill Patterson died in December 1998, aged 62.