William C. (Bill) Prather, 94, of Toledo, Illinois died on Saturday morning, January 16, 2016 while recuperating at Cumberland Rehab & Health Care, Greenup, Illinois. Respecting the wishes of William C. Prather, no funeral nor memorial service is scheduled. 

Bill Prather was born February 20, 1921 in Toledo, the only child of Hollie Cartmill Prather and Effie Ferne (Deppen) Prather. He is survived by several cousins and many friends. 

Bill was a 1938 graduate of Casey High School, Casey, IL. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois in 1942 where, with Betty Stiglitz, he was Co-President of the Student Government Association. Bill received his Juris Doctorate degree, also from the University of Illinois, in 1947 and was admitted to practice before the Illinois Supreme Court that same year. Bill was admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court in 1978. 

Bill served in the U.S. Army during World War II, initially assigned to the Army Specialized Training Program. He was deployed to the European Theater and assigned to Civil Affairs in France, and later assigned to Military Government in Germany (1943-45). Bill was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal. 

Bill started his legal career as an attorney for the First National Bank of Chicago (1947-51), and subsequently served as Assistant General Counsel for the U.S. Saving and Loan League in Chicago (1951-59); General Counsel for the U.S. League of Savings Institutions in Chicago (1959-82); and, General Counsel Emeritus (1982-2016). Bill was a sole practitioner in Cumberland County, Illinois (1981-2016). He was a member of the American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, International Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Coles-Cumberland Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, Union International des Avocats, and National Lawyers Club Washington. 

He was a member of the Cosmo Club in Washington, D.C., the University Club Chicago, Kiwanis Club, Mattoon Golf and Country Club, Exeter and Country Club in England, American Club Rivera in France, Tennis Club de Beaulieu in France, Society of Colonial Wars, St. Andrew’s Society, American Legion, Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta social fraternity and Phi Eta Sigma freshman honor society. 

He was a seminar lecturer in banking law, and Editor for The Legal Bulletin (1951-81) and for The Federal Guide (1954-81). He was author of the textbook Savings Accounts, 8^th Edition (1981), and authored and contributed articles to many publications. He recently completed Dawn Before the Darkness, a historical novel about the Dark Ages and the struggle to become a civilized world, which is recently in publication through Tales Press. Bill was the founder of the “Civility Foundation of America” and was an ardent supporter and promotor of civility in education and amongst his fellow citizens. 

Bill enjoyed his homes in England, France, Winnetka and Toledo, Illinois. He was particularly fond of Applewood Farm in Cumberland County and his office on the Courthouse Square in Toledo. Bill loved his life, his many friends, and his family members. Online condolences may be expressed at www.barkleyfuneralchapels.com.