Willie George Prather, Jr. a longtime Cushing resident, passed away on Saturday, August 4, 2012 at his home at the age of 76 years.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Cushing and will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 10, 2012 in the Covenant Fellowship Church in Cushing, OK. Pastor Robert M. Giddeon, Pastor Robert Adams, and Rev. Raymond Petties will officiate.
The son of the late Willie George Prather, Sr. and Izola (Hillary) Prather Cousins, Willie was born on July 17, 1936 in Cushing, OK. He was reared and educated in Cushing graduating from Booker T. Washington High School. Following school he entered into the United States Navy. After receiving his honorable discharge Willie returned to Cushing. He had worked for the Cushing Hotel, Vee Drug Store, Darrell’s Café and eventually for the Cushing Hospital for 32 years before retiring in 1999. At the Cushing hospital he was known as uncle “Willie”. He enjoyed doing yard work for many residents in Cushing, watching TV, traveling, and most of all he enjoyed collecting things. Many will remember him as being a boxer and his witty sayings which included “I’m a Jesus man”, “I’ll be black tomorrow and they would always respond we will be white here”.
Survivors include long time companion and the love of his life Ramona, two sons, Cornelius Floyd “Pee Wee” Prather and wife Jean Evelyn of Stillwater and Willie George Prather, III of Cleveland, OK; step son Buddy Prather of Cushing, two daughters, Barbra “Sweet Thing” Prather and companion Richard Miller of Cushing and Molly “Jackie” and husband David Copeland of Oklahoma City; step daughter Teresa (Prather) Wilson and husband Larry, of Ft Gibson, Ok., one sister Shirley Jean (Miller)Nesbit of Huntsville, AL; grand son-in-law Anthony Eugene Durham, numerous grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Willie was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lee (Lane) Prather Verner, parents; one son, Cornell Lloyd “John” Prather; granddaughter LaKeshia (Woodberry) Durham; and five brothers, Luther J. Thompson, Prester Lee Thompson, Arthur Prather, Rayford Cousins, and Jimmy Douglas.
Condolences and an online guestbook are available at www.PalmerMarlerFH.com.
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