Floyd Williams Prather

Floyd W. Prather died Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 5, in the Chapel at First United Methodist Church of Waco, with a reception following.

Floyd Williams Prather was born July 6, 1919, to William N. Prather and Corrine Williams Prather in Branch, La. He graduated high school at New Iberia, La., and attended Baylor University, Waco, from 1938 to 1941 before volunteering for the U.S. Army Air Corps at the end of his junior year. While at Baylor, he signed up for a federal pilot program to prepare for the impending World War II, and he received his orders Dec. 8, 1941. He served in the Mediterranean theater beginning with the invasion of Casa Blanca and North Africa. When the need arose for bomber pilots, he transferred to the 97th Bomb Group, 340th Squadron of the 15th Air Force.

He was stationed in Italy and completed 50 combat missions as operations officer of his group. For his many successful missions, he received numerous commendations, notably the Distinguished Flying Cross for a difficult target at Steyr, Austria, where he flew lead plane with the entire 15th Air Force under his command. He also received a Presidential Citation for a mission over airfields near Athens, Greece; the Air Medal with five oak-leaf clusters; and the European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five bronze stars. He was discharged from service in 1945 with the rank of Captain.

Floyd returned from Europe in 1944 and married Frances Durham of Comanche, Texas, where they made their home and reared their two children. He became a successful business and civic leader as the owner of peanut processing and fertilizer manufacturing plants, as well as cattle ranching. He was a trustee of Howard Payne University and a member and president of the Comanche School Board, and he served as a director of the Comanche Chamber of Commerce, State National Bank, and various civic organizations. He was a deacon in First Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school for 23 years, 22 of them as teacher of teenage boys.

In 1972, Floyd retired from his businesses in Comanche, and he and his wife moved to Waco where he continued his entrepreneurial interests and real estate and land development. His main interest was always his love and service for Baylor University, where he was honored as an Alumnus Honoris Causa. Floyd was a life member of the Baylor Alumni Association, and a member of the Development Council, Bear Foundation, Endowed Scholarship Society, Old Main Society, Medallion Fellowship, 1845 Society, Heritage Club, and Baylor Athletic Director's Hall of Honor.

Frances Prather died in 1999, and in 2001, Floyd was married to June Jarvis Prather, who survives him. They are members of First United Methodist Church and the Odell Dudley Sunday school class.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, William Prather and Carey Prather.

Survivors, in addition to his wife June, include his son, Floyd W. "Buddy" Prather Jr. and wife, Judy; daughter, Sandra Lane and husband Robert "Bobby"; step-daughter, Laura Martin and husband, Brian Watkins; step-son, Bruce Martin and companion, Betty Newman; and grandchildren, Jennifer Cohen and husband, Gary, Mark Swanson, Kevin Prather and wife, Jessi Asmussen, Keith Prather and wife, Kelly, and Matthew Martin. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Mae Prather of Louisiana, and Nell Prather of Mississippi; as well as several nephews and nieces.

In keeping with his generous spirit, he arranged to donate his body to Southwestern Medical School.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to one of the Floyd Prather scholarships at Baylor University or to First United Methodist Church of Waco.

July 6, 1919 - August 1, 2011

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