Kenneth Lance Patterson (a.k.a. “Willie Hicks”), bassist for the West Texas “southern oilfield trucker stoner” band PUMPJACK, passed away suddenly on November 9, 2011. He was 42 years old.

A longtime friend of the late “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN) and Dimebag‘s brother Vinnie Paul, Patterson was a member of the group GASOLINE, which Dimebag and PUMPJACK vocalist Thurber Mingus founded as a fun, alcohol-fueled side project for “good friends and anyone who would dare to risk having their ears burned off by listening.”

PUMPJACK took part in the 2000 Ozzfest and they opened for several national acts, including PANTERA, ANTHRAX and W.A.S.P.

Lance Patterson is survived by his wife, Nancy Patterson; stepchildren Tres and Lauren; his parents, Ken and Sylvia Patterson; his brother and sister-in-law, Monty and Chali Patterson; and his niece and nephew, Abby and Logan Patterson.

A funeral service was held on December 1 at the Ellis Funeral Home Chapel. Source: Blabbermouth.net