Howard Ray Prater's Obituary
Howard Ray Prater, 89, passed away at his home on Tuesday, February 17, 2015. A Service to Celebrate his life will be held on Monday, February 23, 2015, at 12:00 noon at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home. Interment will be held on Monday, February 23, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at the Pavilion at Andersonville National Cemetery in Andersonville. The family will visit with friends on Monday from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, the hour preceding the service, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to Office of Development, Shriners Hospitals for Children®, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.
Howard was born in Wise County, West Virginia, to the late Roy and Lillian Dykes Prater. He joined the U. S. Navy at age seventeen and proudly served our country during World War II aboard the USS Panamint. After his military service, Howard lived all across the United States employed as an electrical contractor. His work brought him to Perry in 1968 in construction of Pabst Brewing Company. After completion of construction of the plant, he was hired as an electrical supervisor, working until his retirement in 1979.
Howard loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was a "people person" and never met a stranger. He was always smiling and always had a story to tell. Howard was a former member of the Shriner's and enjoyed participating in their motorcycle unit. He was a former member of the Perry Demolays. Howard enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson and, in the last few years, spending time at the farm with his cows. Howard was a member of Perry Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by a son, Michael Ray Prater.
Survivors include his wife, Mechelle Prater; his children, Ricky Prater (Debbie) of Perry, Sheri Prater Miller (Mike) of Frisco, Texas, and Stephen Prater of Perry; his grandchildren, Travis Prater, Erin Prater Galloway, Angie Miller Adams, Brad Miller, Victor Mizell, Amy Mizell Newhouse, and Randy Mizell; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
What’s your fondest memory of Howard?
What’s a lesson you learned from Howard?
Share a story where Howard's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Howard you’ll never forget.
How did Howard make you smile?