William Everett “Bill” Pratt was born in Florence Arizona on February 7, 1939 to Johnnie and Ruby (Ailes) Pratt. Bill grew up in Casa Grande, Arizona, graduating from Casa Grande Union High School in 1957.

Bill enlisted in the Air Force in 1958. After Basic Training he was sent to the Azores for 18 months, Tucson Air Force Base for 6 months and then to Schilling AFB in Salina, Kansas for 2 years. His service was extended 6 months because of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Bill served as an aircraft mechanic until his honorable discharge in June 1962.

Salina became home for Bill after he met his future wife, Karen Belden, on a blind date with mutual friends. They were married June 23, 1962 at the Schilling AFB Chapel. To this union, 2 children were born, Diana and William, Jr.

Bill worked as a clerk for the Salina Post office for 30 years. While working at the post office, he completed a teaching degree from Kansas Weslyn in 1973. Bill also played guitar and sang in several local bands. After retiring from the post office, he worked for a cabinet company for 3 years and completed his working career with 7 years as a sheet metal worker at Raytheon in Salina.

Bill enjoyed building radio control airplanes, studying the Bible with his friend Wayne Westblade, keeping up with politics, and playing his many guitars. His greatest pleasure was time with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Karen; daughter Diana (Doug) Smith; son Bill, Jr; grandchildren Mandi (Steve) Fox, Liam Smith and Taton Smith; great grandchildren Addi and Harper Fox; sister-in-law Virginia (Mike) Minge, and several nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter Morgan Pratt, sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Vester Sherrill, parents-in-law, Merle and Erma Belden, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Wayne and Tiny Belden.

Visitation will be Sunday, August 13 at Ryan Mortuary from 4-8 p.m. with family present from 5-6 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Monday, August 14 at 10:00 a.m. at the Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, Salina, with burial in Gypsum Hill Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Grand Avenue Methodist Church (GAUMC) or Gentiva Hospice.