William Sheridan Prather

William (Bill) S. Prather, devoted husband and loving father died at his residence in Augusta, GA on July 9, 2023 at the age of 89 years old while surrounded by his family. Bill is survived by his wife, Ida Marie (Wilson) Prather and his children, Mike (Michelle) Prather, Tony (Kai) Prather, Tim (Sandy) Prather and Wayne (Janet) Prather. Grandchildren, Joshua (Payton) Prather, Haley (Ernie) Hadwin, Caleb Prather, Ansley Prather, Paul Prather, Emrie (Austin) Canen, Jackie Prather, Holly (Saviour) Sallah, David Prather, Sarah Prather, Natalie Prather and Rachael Prather. Great grandchildren, Davon Hadwin, Easton Hadwin, Beau Hadwin, Miley Hadwin, Loulie Prather, Henry Prather, Audrey Prather and Blair Canen. Our dad was born in Augusta, GA on June 21, 1934 to Clarence A. Prather Sr. and Elizabeth (Williams) Prather. He and his older brother, Clarence Prather Jr., grew up in Frog Hollow, a community located in downtown Augusta. His second childhood home was in Portal, Ga. where he spent much of his time with his mother's family, aunts, uncles and cousins. He later joined Bayvale Baptist church in Augusta and found the love of his life. On September 12, 1959, daddy married Ida Marie Wilson and purchased a home in Thomas Woods, located in South Augusta, where he spent the remainder of his life with his wife. In their home, they raised four boys who continue to carry on their legacy. Throughout the years, daddy and mama have enjoyed the fruit of their labor and reaped the benefits and rewards for training their boys in biblical principles that were taught from birth - Spare the rod, Spoil the child and other principles that steer boys into God-fearing men. Daddy graduated from the Academy of Richmond County and attended Augusta College before beginning a career at Savannah River Site as a Lab Technician. His expertise later moved him into a Specialist position where he remained until he retired after 38 years of service. His contributions to the site included several awards and patent disclosures, but the highlight of his career at SRS was the relationships that he developed over the years and the meaningful work he accomplished for the good of our country. As a student at Richmond Academy, he participated in the ROTC program where he received several accommodations for marksmanship. His participation in ROTC later led him to Officer's Training School which prepared him for his service of over 20 years in the National Guard and the Army Reserves. His service was well documented and substantiated by the many stories told of his experiences during yearly training camps and weekend service. He enjoyed his service and the meaningful relationships developed during these times. Not only was daddy a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, he had several hobbies that he enjoyed. Early in his life, he enjoyed duck hunting and fishing. His love of the water led our family to enjoy many hours of camping, boating, fishing and water skiing. We all have fond memories of daddy enjoying dragging us behind the boat, to a point just before drowning, until we each learned how to ski. In 1967, mama and daddy took square dance classes and began square dancing in the Augusta area. Because daddy enjoyed singing, he pursued becoming a square dance caller which later became his passion. He enjoyed meeting and teaching people how to square dance and as a square dance caller, he was tied to a community of dancers that stretched across the nation as well as internationally. He and our mom spent countless hours square dancing in nearly every state in the nation as well as Austria and Hawaii. He served as the permanent caller for the Gate Swingers club, a local square dance club that met at Aldersgate Methodist church in Augusta, the Merry Mixers club that met in Greenwood, SC and a club in Sandersville, Ga. In addition, he regularly guest called for other clubs in Georgia and South Carolina. He was also a member of the Georgia and South Carolina Caller's Association that met frequently to discuss square dancing issues in the area and the state. Our dad expressed many times the appreciation that he had for the friendships and the experiences that he and our mother enjoyed in the square dance community and the indebtedness that he felt for the gift of love and friendship that he and our mom were given through square dancing. In his later years, retirement allowed more time with the grandchildren, great grandchildren and church family. As a retiree, our dad spent countless hours helping his children build homes, work on automobiles and other tasks that make a father a dad. He also spent many hours helping others with his intuitive "know how" for repairing equipment, amplifiers, appliances, televisions and many other items. He enjoyed flying radio controlled airplanes and attending airplane airshows with his sons and grandsons. His wealth of military knowledge and his experience added to the experience of watching the flight of WWII aircraft and the history of aviation in Augusta. Our dad also enjoyed working at the church and supporting the various charity efforts, as well as the time spent with the men of the church during the men's fellowship fishing/chili cookoff trips. As most know, there wasn't a subject that could be discussed, that he didn't know something about it, and again, as most know, our dad was a man of countless words, a man of inherent understanding and common sense and a gifted story teller. He will be greatly missed, but the legacy he left will carry on through his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We are so grateful for the kindness and goodness shown to our parents through the years from the family and friends that my dad has left behind, but we are more grateful to the Father above who has prepared our Dad's new home through the gift of his Son - Jesus Christ. To God be the glory. This journey will be heaven for my dad.....He will get to talk for eternity. With love and admiration, The Prather Family Funeral Services will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023 at Chance & Hydrick Funeral Home, 2502 Richmond Hill Road, Augusta, Ga. 30906. Visitation will be at 10:00AM with the funeral service following at 11:00AM. The burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park cemetery following the funeral service. Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors, 2502 Richmond Hill Road, Augusta, GA, 30906.

William Sheridan Prather

June 21, 1934 - July 9, 2023