Willie Henry Prather, a longtime Cushing resident, passed away on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at the Cushing Regional Hospital, Cushing, Ok at the age of 93 years.
The Rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 16, 2012 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 17, 2012 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Euchee Valley Memorial Park, Cushing, Ok.
Arrangements are entrusted to Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Cushing, Ok.
Willie was born on December 24, 1918 in Mart, Texas to the late Edward and Carrie (Holder) Prather. Willie grew up on a farm in Mexia, Texas. He graduated from Mexia High School in 1938. Willie married his high school sweetheart Kathryn Dougherty on April 11, 1938 in Mexia, Tx. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. After returning from the service, they lived in Mexia for a few years then moved to Tulsa. Willie worked for Amoco Pipeline (BP Pipeline) for 47 years, he began as a welder and retired as a supervisor. He traveled throughout the United States and South America on the pipeline. Willie also worked on the Alaskan Pipeline and the Argentina Pipeline. They moved to Cushing in 1965 where they have resided since. They are members of the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He was an active member of the Cushing Lions Club, where he had served as Lion Tamer. Willie was a member of the Cushing Country Club where he was an avid golfer. He also enjoyed quail hunting and gardening. He grew the best homegrown tomatoes in Oklahoma. Willie was kind, generous and had a big heart. He loved spending time with his family and doting over his wife Kathryn.
Willie is survived by his wife of 73 years Kathryn of the home, daughters Phyllis Robinson and husband Rene of Broken Arrow, Pam Stefanini and husband Art of Broken Arrow, Trish Grim of Tulsa, brother Horace Prather and wife Louise of Mexia, Tx., sister Doris Bauman of Portland, Or., grandchildren Mark Robinson and wife Kendra, Matt Robinson and wife Dee, Mitzi Woodburn, Brian Acton and wife Abby, Michael Acton, Kristen Grim and Steven Grim, great grandchildren Kayla Robison and husband Stephen, Devin Robinson, Dillon Robinson, Darby Robinson, Gunnar Woodburn, Lantz Woodburn, Tommy Woodburn, Austin Acton, Cory Brown, Kaylee Acton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Lance Acton, brother David Prather and sister Shirley Fouts.
Condolences and online guest book are available at www.palmermarlerfh.com.
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