Obituary
NAPPANEE — William R. "Bill" Pratt, 90, of Nappanee, passed away in his home from natural causes at 10:08 p.m. Wednesday, May 20.
He was born Jan. 14, 1925, in Emporia, Kan., to the late Simon "Si" and Ruth (Mataney) Pratt.
He later married Betty Parker in Kansas City, Kan., on March 21, 1951. She passed away in Elkhart in 2014.
Surviving are his daughter, Lisa (James) Mast of Nappanee; son Tim Pratt of Middlebury; grandchildren Nicole Mast of Nappanee, Danielle and Cameron Pratt, both of Middlebury, and Adam Moore of Middlebury; great-grandchildren Katie and Max Malate, both of Chicago; and his caretakers, Tammy Blanton and John Creech, both of Nappanee, to whom the family acknowledges for Bill's comfort in his final days.
In accordance with his wishes, Bill is to be cremated. A private family service will be at a later date.
Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart has been assisting the family with arrangements.
Bill worked for Ford Motor Co. for many years and then for Coachman RV and Vans as an operations manager after moving to this area.
He enjoyed spending time in his yard and doing bottle and glass cutting in his spare time. He was also an avid Cleveland Browns, Chicago Cubs and Notre Dame fan. He enjoyed studying history and liked to watch documentaries and historical programs including all types of World War II movies.
He served as a radioman in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the USS Honolulu (CL 48), a Brooklyn-class light cruiser which won eight battle stars during operations in the South Pacific, including action in Bougainville, the Mariana Islands, Palau, Peleliu, Leyte, Guam, Saipan and Kolombangara, where she was heavily damaged by an enemy torpedo.
By request of the family, memorial donations may be made in Bill's memory to the Elkhart County Veteran's Affairs office. Online condolences may reach the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
He was born Jan. 14, 1925, in Emporia, Kan., to the late Simon "Si" and Ruth (Mataney) Pratt.
He later married Betty Parker in Kansas City, Kan., on March 21, 1951. She passed away in Elkhart in 2014.
Surviving are his daughter, Lisa (James) Mast of Nappanee; son Tim Pratt of Middlebury; grandchildren Nicole Mast of Nappanee, Danielle and Cameron Pratt, both of Middlebury, and Adam Moore of Middlebury; great-grandchildren Katie and Max Malate, both of Chicago; and his caretakers, Tammy Blanton and John Creech, both of Nappanee, to whom the family acknowledges for Bill's comfort in his final days.
In accordance with his wishes, Bill is to be cremated. A private family service will be at a later date.
Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart has been assisting the family with arrangements.
Bill worked for Ford Motor Co. for many years and then for Coachman RV and Vans as an operations manager after moving to this area.
He enjoyed spending time in his yard and doing bottle and glass cutting in his spare time. He was also an avid Cleveland Browns, Chicago Cubs and Notre Dame fan. He enjoyed studying history and liked to watch documentaries and historical programs including all types of World War II movies.
He served as a radioman in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the USS Honolulu (CL 48), a Brooklyn-class light cruiser which won eight battle stars during operations in the South Pacific, including action in Bougainville, the Mariana Islands, Palau, Peleliu, Leyte, Guam, Saipan and Kolombangara, where she was heavily damaged by an enemy torpedo.
By request of the family, memorial donations may be made in Bill's memory to the Elkhart County Veteran's Affairs office. Online condolences may reach the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William R. Pratt, please visit our flower store.
Services
No Services To Be Held