The Rev. Willard Gibbs Prater

The Rev. Willard Gibbs Prater passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his loving family on February 23, 2025, at the age of 96. Father Prater was born in Forty-Fort, PA, on April 4, 1928. He graduated from Forty-Fort High School in 1946 and served in the US Army 1946-1947. He graduated from Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, in 1951, with a BS degree in Sociology. He was a member of the Wilkes College Band, where he met his future wife, Phyllis Deisher. In 1954, he graduated with a Masters in Divinity from Bexley Hall Theological Seminary at Kenyon College, Gambier, OH. He was ordained as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church at St. Clements, Wilkes-Barre, on June 9, 1954, in the Diocese of Bethlehem. On June 19, 1954, he married Phyllis Ann Deisher at Christ Lutheran Church, Wilkes-Barre, with her father, The Rev. Harold Deisher, officiating. Father Prater served as Vicar of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, New Milford, and Christ Church, Susquehanna, PA, 1954-1957. He was ordained to the Priesthood at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Montrose, PA, on December 17, 1954. He was Vicar of St. George's Episcopal Church in Hellertown, PA, 1957-1966. He subsequently served as Rector of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Bellefontaine, Ohio, 1966-1993, in the Diocese of Ohio. In his retirement, Father Prater served as a Supply Priest primarily in the Diocese of Southern Ohio near his residence. In 1997, he and Phyllis relocated to Thomaston, Maine, where he continued offering his Supply Ministry in the Diocese of Maine for many years, upholding his call as a priest.

Father Prater was predeceased by his loving wife, Phyllis, in 2016, and earlier by his parents, Willard George Prater and Elizabeth Muriel Gibbs Prater. He is survived by his three children: Alison Fedio of Burke, VA; Lisl (Shawn) Prater-Lee of Poughkeepsie, NY; and Piers (Jennifer) Prater, of Hatfield, PA, along with five grandchildren, Rhiannon August, Christiana Prater-Lee, Gillian Prater-Lee, Ryan Prater, and Adam Prater. He is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth (The Rev. George) Hough of Hollidaysburg, PA, and sister-in-law, Ingrid Prater, of Dallas, PA, as well as nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, The Rev. John S. Prater of Dallas, PA, and in-laws, The Rev. Harold (Christine) Deisher of Boyertown, PA.

Father Prater was known for his good-natured humor and sharp wit. He was a kind and gentle soul who touched the lives of many. The Praters enjoyed trips to England where they made many friends and enjoyed visiting cathedrals and sites of English history and literature. They had honeymooned in Maine and fully enjoyed years of their retirement in the Midcoast region.

Father Prater's funeral service was held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Doylestown, PA, on March 7, followed by burial at Friedens Cemetery, Oley, PA. The family suggests that donations on Father Prater's behalf be made to the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio (dohio.org) or Wreaths across America (https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/185954).