Harley Prater

Harley Monroe Prater Sr.

Age 87, a lifetime resident of Strickler, Arkansas, passed away Monday, January 17, 2022 at Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born June 2, 1934 in Strickler, Arkansas, the son of Thomas Jefferson and Deedie (Moore) Prater.

Harley was a 32nd degree mason. He was a founding/charter member of the Strickler Volunteer Fire Department. Being a lifetime resident, he was able to provide direction for emergency services into remote areas, with a great desire to serve his friends and neighbors in their times of need.

Traveling 46 of these United States and into parts of Canada on his Honda Goldwing with Verneal always by his side, was one of the great joys of his life. The adventures and stories they brought home will provide that same adventure and laughter to his family for generations to come.

Music has provided all who knew Harley with so much happiness from singing at church from his shaped note hymnals to invited events and around the home with family joining in to sing Christmas songs or hymns. He played his guitar and sang and sometimes even created an instrument like his Panjo.

Harley retired from Willis Shaw Express as Maintenance Supervisor after 27 years of service. After his retirement wood working became a passion. Gifting his work to family and friends brought him great satisfaction. Each item was painstakingly crafted, closely inspected then branded as a work by Harley Prater.

Harley was a man loved by his family for his kindness, his generosity and his love of laughter and a good tease or joke. He was devoted and loyal. A man who most assuredly will be missed by family, friends, neighbors and the community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers and four sisters.

Survivors include his wife Verneal Prater of the home; five children Harley Prater Jr. "Butch" and his wife Yevon, Mike Prater and his wife Janell, Diane Prater Jones and her husband Danny, Edward Addison and his wife Karen, and Raymond Addison and his wife Debbie; eleven grandchildren Natalie Prater Batchelor, Titus Prater, Clay Prater, Cody Prater, Tanner Jones, Crystal Jones Couch, Scott Addison, Brian Addison, Steven Addison, Katherine Addison Rohrbach, Kayla Addison Rodriguez; nine great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Friday from 1:00-2:00 prior to the funeral at New Sulphur Freewill Baptist Church.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Friday, January 21st, 2022, at New Sulphur Freewill Baptist Church in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Burial will be in the Zinnamon Cemetery in Strickler, Arkansas, there will be no graveside services held.

Memorials may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation (parkinsons.org) or the Shriner's Hospital.