Billy "Bill" Joe Prater

Billy Joe Prater, 76, of Springfield, formerly of McArthur, passed away Friday, December 14, 2012 at his daughters’ residence in North Hampton, Ohio. He was born January 3, 1936 in Hippo, Kentucky, son of the late Melvin and Pearlier Hale Prater.

Bill retired from Navistar in Springfield and was an Army Veteran.

He is survived by his sons, Billy Joseph (Carrie) Prater of Mechanicsburg, Ohio and Lee Graham (Angela Woods) Prater of Fairborn; daughter, Jody Mae Prater-Vincent; stepdaughters, Allyn Payne, Patricia Sheppeard, Tamazin Cobaugh and Felicia Niswonger; seven grandchildren; eight step grandchildren; two great grandchildren and brothers, Carles (Martha) Prater of Hamden, Harles (Pam) Prater of Summerville, South Carolina and Glendon Prater of Hamden.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Troy Prater.

Funeral services will be held 2 P.M., Tuesday, December 18, 2012 in the Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home, 201 W. High St., McArthur, with Rev. Jim Taylor officiating. Interment will be in Elk Cemetery, McArthur. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday, from noon until the time of the service.

Please sign his online guestbook at www.cardaras.com