William J. Patterson was born at Neenah, Wisconsin, June 4, 1880. He graduated from high school at Boyd, Wisconsin and took the Trainmen's Course from the International Correspondence Schools of Scranton, Pennsylvania. At the age of 17 he started in railroad service as a call boy for the Wisconsin Central Railway at Stevens Point. He later became a brakeman, fireman, switchman, and conductor on various roads, the last being the Northern Pacific. While in railroad service Patterson was active in representing employees in negotiations with employers.
In 1914 Patterson received a civil service appointment to become an inspector of safety appliances for the Interstate Commerce Commission, and remained in that work until 1918. He then became Assistant Director of the Bureau of Safety, ICC, and from 1934 to 1939 was the Bureau's Director. It was during his years with the Bureau of Safety that Patterson became an expert on safety in rail transportation, especially in the use of signals and safety appliances. He helped to develop means of preventing accidents to trains traveling under hazardous conditions and did much to increase the safety of railroad travel.
In July, 1939, Patterson was appointed Commissioner for the Interstate Commerce Commission, serving there until his retirement in 1953. He was chairman of the Commission in 1944, and was the member to whom the Bureau of Safety reported. During World War II he was cited for distinguished service for his work in war transportation involving troop movements, and for investigations into the feasibility of “black out” signal lights. While a Commissioner he also represented the United States at foreign sessions of the International Labor Organization's Inland Transport Committee, serving on subcommittees concerned with railroads, employment, and methods of selection of workers for inland transport.
As a member of the Interstate Commerce Commission Patterson was known as a “practical railroader” who spoke the language of railroad men, and perhaps had a wider acquaintance among railroad people than any other person in government service.
Upon retirement from government service in July, 1953 Patterson became a consultant for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He was also certified to practice before the Interstate Commerce Commission at this time.
William J. Patterson and his wife Margaret had two children, William A. and Jane. He died in Washington, D.C. on November 24, 1955.
