Biographical Sketch (1918):1675, p. 1130. "A trustee of Oroville who has the entire confidence of his fellow citizens, not because he is a representative of one of the finest pioneer families, but on account of his own character and his value as an experienced man of affairs, is William Ray Patterson, who was born at Cherokee, Butte County, on November 24, 1871."

1880 U.S. Census:1207 Ray enumerated in the household of his father Jacob Patterson in the Village of Cherokee, Oregon Township, Butte County, California as a white male, age 9, son, single, at home, attended school, born in California, father born in Ohio, mother born in Ohio.
Brother Howard Willis, age 5 months, and sister Alice and her husband Charles Campbell also resided in the household.

1920 U.S. Census:1981 Ray enumerated in the household of his father Jacob Patterson in Oroville, Butte County, California as a son, male, white, age 47, married, can read and write, born in California, father and mother born in Ohio, can speak English, house carpenter, self-employed. His wife Bessie, age 44, also resided in the household.

1960 Tombstone:1674 Cherokee Cemetery, Cherokee, Butte County, California.
William Ray Patterson
Mar. 24, 1871—Apr. 14, 1960