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03/05/2022
Willard (Will) Irvin Prather was born at home on the farm in Fremont, IA on December 17, 1928, to Charles Irvin and Hilda Mae (Hedge) Prather. Will graduated from Fremont High School in 1947. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Central College in 1951 and later obtained a Master’s Degree from Drake University.
Will was drafted to the United States Army in 1951 and served one year at Ft. Leonard Wood and one year in Korea. Will had many occupations including business teacher and principal at Knoxville High School, real estate officer with the US Postal Service, real estate agent and broker, farmer, owner and operator of Strawberry Hill, land developer involved in Painted Rocks and West Ridge Housing Developments, and a Marion County Supervisor.
Will was dedicated to serving Knoxville and Marion County. Over the years, he was involved in the Rotary Club of Knoxville, Knoxville Heritage Foundation, Red Rock Lake Association, Marion County Conservation Board, Marion County Foundation, Christian Opportunity Center, Knoxville Schools Advisory Committee, Knoxville Farmers Co-op, Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Knoxville Industrial Development Corp., Marion County Board of Realtors, Knoxville Library Board, Iowa Heartland R, C, & D., and Brenton Banks Board of Directors. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. He prided himself on being busy and willing to help.
Will passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Westridge Nursing Center at the age of 93 years.
Will loved his family and is survived by his wife Susan (Templeton) Prather of Knoxville, children: Paula (Bob) Stover of Muscatine, Iowa, Curt (Charlotte) Prather of Knoxville, Iowa, and Julia Prather, grandchildren: Ben (Jenn) Stover, Luke (Carly) Stover, Tim (Emily) Stover, Darcy (Dan) Friesen, Kelly (Jim) Mitchell, 14 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents Irvin and Hilda Prather, and his sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Keith Leazer.
Memorials may be directed to Knoxville Hospital and Clinics, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, or the Knoxville Public Library.