NORTHERN NEW SALEM ASSOCIATION 1958
FIRST ANNUAL SESSION
OBITUARY

Prater, William H "Bill"  By request of his wife and children I will try and write an obituary of a good husband, and a brother in the Lord, to-wit:  Brother William Prater.  he was born august 24, 1901, and departed this life January 13, 1958, making his stay on earth 56 years, 4 months, and 20 days.  He was the son of Joe and Judy Bentley Prater.  On May 2, 1922, Brother "Bill" was married to Ellie Prater, and to this union was born the following surviving children, namely: Charles and Hershel Prater, and Marcella Farmer all of Columbus, Ohio: Jerry and Ronnie Prater, both at home at McArthur, Ohio.  He also left five brothers and two sisters, namely: Dock, Miley, Jim, Oscar, and Melvin Prater, Monnie Frazier and Pearley Patton. Nine grandchildren, his companion and a host of friends to mourn his loss.  But we feel that our loss is Heaven's eternal gain.  Brother "Bill" joined the Old Regular Baptist Church and had his membership at the Maggie Home Church.  He was an ordained Deacon, which office he served with all of his heart.  By the experience I have had with Brother "Bill", I can truly say that he was a good Deacon, and fought the good fight of faith, and bore his cross and endured the pain.  he not only served his own Church, but our sister churches in this area as well, as a borrowed Deacon.  he will be greatly missed in the churches, but most of all in his home.  He has lain down his cross, and I believe from the depths of my heart that he just went to sleep in the arms of Jesus, and that in the resurrection morn his body will come fourth out of the grave and the soul and body will be reunited together, and then he will be a perfect man.  So I can only say to sister Ellie and the children "Cheer up"  and let us say, even as David said, "We know that he can't come back to us, but by the grace of God we can go to him."  So, children, if you want to see your daddy again, repent of your sins, remember the good counsel that he gave you, and love the God that Brother "Bill" loved, and you won't have to say good-bye but farewell just for a few days.  Written by a brother in hope of eternal life. John Mullins
Note:  Brother "Bill's" memorial will be preached at the Maggie home Church the fourth Saturday and Sunday in October, 1959.  Everybody is invited.