Dr. Bill George Prater of Springfield died peacefully in his sleep January 18, at the age of 94.  A Springfield native, he was the son of Matthew and Thelma George Prater. Bill attended Springfield High School and Drury College before joining the US Army in 1943. He was sent to Europe and spent "the coldest winter of my life" during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944/45 where he was awarded a Bronze Star and numerous additional medals. After the war, he stayed in Paris for a year studying at the Sorbonne.  Bill returned to France many times in future years to enjoy the people, culture, food, and wine - and to improve his Ozarks accented French.

He attended Washington University in St. Louis for medical school and his ophthalmology residency. While in St. Louis he met Marie Haas, another Springfield native. They married and returned home in 1956, where he joined Drs. Rainwater & Burkey. Bill later established Eye Surgeons of Springfield with Dr. Gary Mehlhorn and subsequently welcomed his son, Dr. Tom Prater, into the practice.

During his career, Dr. Prater helped to establish modern cataract surgery in the Ozarks. He was active with the Greene County Medical Society, serving as President in 1980. He practiced at St. Johns and Cox and held the position of Chief of Staff at Cox.  He was the epitome of a skilled, compassionate physician.

After retiring in 1994, Bill continued to enjoy volunteering in his community, playing many rounds of golf at Hickory Hills, traveling with his children and grandchildren, as well as eating anything chocolate.

He loved to float, quail hunt, and cruise. He traveled extensively on six continents and enjoyed skiing with all of his grandkids into his 80's.

He is survived by Marie, his wife of 62 years; his children Tom and Kim Prater of Springfield, Amy and John Wesner of Dallas, and Chris and Karen Prater of Wichita;  his grandchildren  Ford, Mac, Allie, Bryn, and Jackson; and by Debbie Secrease, who has lovingly cared for the Prater family for 27 years.

His grace, gentlemanly demeanor, and sense of humor will be missed by all.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 on Tuesday, January 22 ^nd at Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel located at 1947 East Seminole, Springfield, Missouri 65804.  A celebration of life will follow the memorial service at the Grey Gables at Gilardi's, 820 East Walnut.

Memorial contributions would be welcomed in Bill's name to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.