WILLIAM PRATER

THEBES, Ill. -- William Howard "Bill" Prater, 60, of Thebes died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2001, at his home.

He was born June 13, 1940, in Gale, Ill., son of Herbert and Ollie Busby Prater. He and Harriet Cullison were married Nov. 23, 1960.

Prater worked 35 years at Aetna Coatings in St. Louis, retiring in June 2000 because of ill health. He was a member of Beech Grove Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife; a son, William Prater Jr. of St. Louis; three daughters, Cheryl Fornkohl of Cape Girardeau, Tammy Jones of Wickliffe, Ky., Carrie Kelley of Thebes; three brothers, Herbert Prater of Thebes, Jim Prater of McClure, Jerry Prater of Cairo, Ill.; three sisters, Shirley Hale of Thebes, Maxine Croy and Kay Hale of McClure; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, and a brother.

Friends may call at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau from 4-8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Raymond Oxford officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery near Thebes.