Howard W. Pattillo, 89, of Macungie, died Feb. 3, 2019, with his family by his side. He was the husband of Aileen Pattillo. They were married for 57 years. Born in East St. Louis, Ill., he was the son of the late Edith Vivian Osment and John Pattillo.

He grew up dirt poor sleeping on a mattress with his two older siblings and always joked about “guess who got stuck sleeping in the middle!” As a teenager he worked on the railroads in the summer. He was good at football but couldn’t try out because he missed too much school.

He joined the Army after dropping out of high school and served in the Korean War. He shoveled coal after coming home from the service until a co-worker inspired him to go to college.

He graduated in the top of his class in civil engineering from Washington University.

He got a job at Air Products & Chemicals, Allentown and traveled all over the world for work.

He loved his family, fishing, boogie boarding, golfing, skiing, hated dancing but did it anyway cause grandma loved it. He loved beer, nonpareils, watching sports, The History Channel and his grandkids.

He is survived by his wife; three sons, a daughter and numerous grandkids.

Services will be held 2 p.m. Feb. 23, at Crowell Brothers Funeral Home, Peachtree Corners, Ga.