WELCH, Okla. — William Patrick “Bill” Zimmerman, 77, of Welch, Okla., died Friday, July 16, 2010, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin.

He was born March 17, 1933, in Welch to William Raymond and Dorothy (Duvall) Zimmerman. He graduated from high school and lived in Welch most of his life except for a few years in Topeka and Linwood.

He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad in Kansas City, Kan., as a railroad conductor and was a pecan farmer. He was a member of First Christian Church in Welch.

He married Loretta Davis on Nov. 1, 1951, in Bentonville, Ark. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include four sons, William Zimmerman Jr. of Perry, John Raymond Zimmerman of Welch; James Matthew Zimmerman of Leavenworth and Fred Lee Zimmerman of Baldwin City; two daughters, La Wanda Ann Habig of Welch and Patricia Elaine Helton of Smithville, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, George Zimmerman; and a half sister, Bobby Lou Grooms.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at the Community Bible Church in Chetopa with the Rev. Randy Frazier and AA members officiating.

Memorial may be made to the American Lung Association.

Arrangements are by Paul Thomas Funeral Home of Miami, Okla.

Online condolences may be sent to www.paulthomasfuneralhomes.com.