William Bill Thomas Prather

He was born on December 24, 1932, to Cecil Prather and Leila (Martin) Prather in Thurman, Iowa, at the farmhouse his great grandfather homesteaded in 1850. He was the youngest of three boys.

Bill was raised in Thurman, Iowa. His father passed away when he was 2 years old, and his mother moved them back to his grandparent’s farm, where they lived until he was 8. Bill’s brother, Dean, can remember three things about him: he liked to take things apart and fix them; he loved cats; and he never, in all of his 83 years, spoke an ill word about somebody. As a boy, people in their small town started to take note of his ability to fix bikes, so they began bringing their broken bikes for him to fix.

Bill graduated from high school in 1950. Throughout his school years, he was an outstanding athlete: playing football, baseball, and basketball. During his senior year, Bill was the quarterback and helped to take his team to the Iowa High School State Championship. After graduating, Bill played semi-pro baseball with his brother, Dean, in southwestern Iowa.

In 1953, Bill was drafted into the army. After basic training, he was stationed in West Germany as part of the 7th Calvary Infantry, 2nd Armored Division (“Hell on Wheels”). His division served as part of NATO. Bill also played baseball while in the army. His position was always catcher.

Upon returning to the United States in 1955, Bill attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa, where he earned his Associates degree in Business. After graduating he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, to work at General Electric.

He married the love of his life, Laura Mae, in 1956. His brother, Dean, and Mae’s sister, Mary, were the attendants at their wedding in Council Bluffs, Iowa. After their marriage, they moved their family to Lincoln, Nebraska, so Bill could work at the General Electric Company. Bill was a devoted family man, and soon became a father to their son, Greg, and daughter, Angie. They established their family roots in Lincoln, Nebraska, and stayed there until 1971 (except for a one year hiatus in Seattle, Washington, in 1966). They left Lincoln and moved to Sioux City, Iowa.

In Sioux City, Iowa, Bill opened his own business, Appliance Technicians, which he operated until 1993, when he moved to Gilbert, Arizona, to be with his children and grandchildren. He worked briefly as a building manager for Gilbert Public Schools.

After retirement, he spent his time with his family. His children and grandchildren were always welcomed into their home, and their many family members from out of town often stopped by, too. He loved golfing, playing Pinochle, and putting puzzles together. There were many afternoons and weekends devoted to watching college sports or professional baseball with his family. He had many teams that he would root for, but his favorites were the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Iowa Hawkeyes. True to character, he adopted a cat in need after he swore he would never have any more pets. He named him “Lucky” because he was lucky to have found his way to Bill’s home.

His grandchildren remember his “limpies” and Donald Duck impressions, the delicious breakfast meals that he would cook for them, and how he was always present and supportive at their many sporting events, music concerts, etc. He put his family first, every time.

He is survived by his son Gregory Prather (Lesa); daughter, Angela Chomokos (Nonda); grandson, Adam Prather (Jessica); granddaughter, Christine Gomez (Justin); grandson, Daniel Prather (Gina); granddaughter, Laura McGhee (Ryan); Stas Chomokos (Gillian); great grandchildren, Audrey and Lincoln Prather and Avery Mae Gomez; all of whom are from Arizona. He is also survived by his brother Dean Prather (Lois), from Glenwood, Iowa, and countless great nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 9:00 A.M. at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care, 6747 E. Broadway, Mesa, AZ 85206.

Graveside services TBD in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he will be laid to rest by his loving wife, Laura Mae Prather.