William Orvill "Bill" Prater of Dixon, was born on April 18, 1933 in Osage County, a son of Edgar Lee and Minnie Sarah (Braiser) Prater and departed this life at 3:34 a.m., Wednesday morning, May 1, 2019 in the Dixon and Nursing Rehab Center. Mr. Prater had attained the age of 86 years and 13 days.

Mr. Prater was united in marriage on February 1, 1953 at Mountain Home, Arkansas to Vera Lou McKinnon and to this union, three children were born. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera on June 12, 2011; his parents; two brothers, Earl Prater and James Prater; one sister, Shirley Kizer and one son-in-law, Arthur Shepherd.

Mr. Prater was a United States Army veteran. Mr. Prater accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior on June 4, 1961 and followed his Lord in baptism. He was a faithful member of the Burnett Church, where he had served as a Deacon and was on the board of trustees. Mr. Prater was a truck driver for Goodrich Gas, retiring in 1999. He enjoyed horseback riding, farming and going to the coffee shop.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Prater include: one son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Gayle Prater, Dixon; two daughters and one son-in-law, Jeannie Shepherd, Dixon and Lori and Ronnie Baker, Iberia; one sister, Joyce Sullins and her husband, Kenny, Crocker; two grandchildren, Gina Ray and husband, Roland, Dixon and Justin Prater and wife, Becky, Monett; three step grandchildren, Kristy Sloan and husband, Craig, Springfield; Burgandy Nelson and husband, Scott, Crocker and Alesia Baker, Columbia; one great-granddaughter, Emma Ray; four step great-grandchildren, Christopher and Ryan Nelson and Harley and Gavin Baker; his special friend, Shirley Branson and many other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be made to the Burnett Church Building Fund with envelopes available at the church or the office of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dixon.