William Prather

William (Bill) G. Prather, age 91 of Wichita, KS Born September 2, 1931 passed away on Tuesday, March 7th, 2023. Bill was born to Donald and Eva Prather of Eureka, KS. Bill was one of 5 children, 4 boys and 1 girl.

Bill moved on to go to Emporia State College to study agriculture. While there he joined ROTC. He laughed and said that he joined for the small compensation he received that would give him beer money. Much to his surprise, he was called up and he joined the Army and soon was shipped off to Korea to serve his country.

Once he served his country, he moved back to Kansas where he met a cute little gal named Ethel at the roller rink on St. Patrick’s Day. When she declined his offer to take her home, he followed her bus home so that he could date her. Later that year they were married and have been together for nearly 70 years.

They eventually moved to Tulsa, OK where he finished his degree in Petroleum Engineering at Tulsa University and they had their first son Forrest. Bill then took a job in Washington D.C. for several years and then took a job in Houston, TX where his second son Curtis was born. He then took another position in the D.C. area and moved the family back to Alexandria, VA until he retired in 2002. Once retired he and Ethel moved back to Wichita, KS.

Bill was a funny, kind and generous man who was loved by his family and friends. He will be missed.

Bill was preceded in death by his father and mother, Donald and Eva Prather and 3 brothers, Norman, Dean and Jerry as well as his son Forrest.

Survivors include his wife of 69 ½ years Ethel Prather of Wichita, KS and Son Curtis Prather of Arlington, VA and his sister Melinda Parker of Meeker, CO and many nieces and nephews all over the world.

Services are private.