Willard “Von’’ Prater, 83, of Lebanon, died Jan. 23, 2021, in Lebanon.
He was born Aug. 27, 1937, in Corkery, Mo. to William “Bill’’ Oscar and Sarah Lela Childress Prater.
In 1956 he married Fernalee Decker.
Von was preceded in death by his beloved son Terry Don and Terry’s wife Lisa, his daughter-in-law; his parents, William and Lela Prater; one brother, Don Prater; two sisters, Louise Rael and Lorene Crocker Jarboe.
He proudly served our country in the United States Army. He entered on Dec. 23, 1956 until his honorable discharge on Jan. 14, 1959. He worked for Vendo and General Motors for several years. Eventually, he and Fern moved back to Lebanon in 1988, when he began working for the Durham Company until his retirement.
Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Fern; one daughter, Karen “Susie’’ Johnson and her husband Mark; four grandchildren, Melissa Hill and her husband Zack, Stephanie Nixdorf and her husband David, Kyle Johnson and his wife Sarah and Tyler Johnson and his wife Kristen; eight great-grandchildren, Chloe Prater, Anthony Prater, Fisher Nixdorf, Hunter Nixdorf, Kylee Hill, Bob Hill, Riley Johnson and Silus Johnson; one great-great-granddaughter, Esther Mae; one sister, Polly Foreman Ray and her husband Lee; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
A private service for Willard “Von’’ Prater will be held at Shadel’s Colonial Chapel with burial in Mount Rose Memorial Park. There is no scheduled visitation. Friends and family are welcome to come pay their respects after 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 8 at Shadel’s Colonial Chapel. To sign the guestbook online please visit shadelscolonialchapel.com. Under the guidelines of the CDC and the state of Missouri, the staff of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel ask that you observe social distancing and proper hygiene. Please also wear masks. Those guidelines will be monitored during this time to accommodate the family and their wishes.
