William C. Pratt

William C. (Bill) Pratt, 80, of Blooming Valley, went to be with the Lord after complications of a sudden illness, Saturday, June 11, 2011. He was born in Richmond Twp., Crawford Co., June 7, 1931 a son of Cecil A. and Alma Waid Pratt. He has two brothers, Stanley (Gene) Pratt and his wife Barbara of Meadville and Gordon Pratt and his wife Jill of Guys Mills and a sister, Virginia Troutner and her companion Sonny Smith of Meadville. Bill attended Randolph High School. He married Elaine J. Smith January 17, 1951 at Blooming Valley United Methodist Church, where he was baptized with his first son in 1952. Along with Elaine, his wife of 60 years, Bill leaves a legacy of 4 sons and a daughter and their families: Rick Pratt and his wife Ruth of Meadville, Randy Pratt and his wife Marlene of Meadville, Rev. Christine Rogan and her husband Mike of Blooming Valley, Dave Pratt and his wife Teresa of Blooming Valley and Mike Pratt and his wife Jill of Guys Mills; twelve grandchildren, Ryan Pratt, Sarah McKnight and her husband Scott, Ryan Crago and his wife Danielle, Bryan Crago, Emily Pratt, Julie Connally, Cherie Rogan, Chase Rogan, Megan Pratt, Kyle Pratt and his wife Pam, Shawn Pratt and his friend Lacy Kinney and Autumn Pratt; eight great grandchildren, Holly Smith and her husband Grady, Carson Pratt, Gavin McKnight, Collin McKnight, Elaina McKnight, Colten Crago, MyKenzie Connally and Levi Connally and two great great granddaughters, Maylie Smith and Zoe Smith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Milford (Muff) Waid and Merle Briggs and a granddaughter-in-law, Lisa Pratt. Bill is remembered by his family as being a loving husband, a caring father, and an influential grandfather. He worked as a millwright at Talon Inc. for 38 years retiring in 1992. He was a member of West Mead #2 Vol. Fire Dept. He loved riding his 4-wheeler and John Deere tractor, traveling, spending winters in Florida, camping both in Florida and at Lake Wilhelm, fishing, gardening, swinging on the porch swing, smoking his pipe and most of all, spending time with family and friends. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville. The funeral service will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Christine Rogan and Rev. Temple Jarrell, Pastor of New Beginnings Church of God, officiating. Interment will be in Lyona Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Blooming Valley United Methodist Church, 24740 State Street, Meadville, PA 16335 or the Blooming Valley Vol. Fire Dept., 15244 Mill Street, Saegertown, PA 16433. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net.