It was one year ago on December 23, 2021, that we lost one of our longtime volunteers, Bill Prather.
The 74-year-old was deeply dedicated to his family, his country, his community, and the environment.
Bill served in the U.S Navy and after his service, he worked for Local 498 Rockford Ironworker Union for more than 40 years.
Bill knew the value of work ethic and service to one’s community. He regularly volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.
Bill was passionate about pursuing a way for everyone to have a decent place to live and call home.
Ed Leach, longtime RAHFH volunteer who worked closely with Bill over the years said this about Bill,
“Bill was a valued part of our group. He worked with us since before I started in 2000. Initially he helped on weekends as he was working full time. When he retired several years ago, he joined us full time (three days a week) and he was very good at framing. His history of being an iron worker made him very comfortable with the high work such as framing, putting up trusses and placing roof sheathing. He understood which aspects of building he enjoyed as well as those that he didn’t, so Bill disappeared every year after we hung the drywall. As we finished hanging the drywall Bill would say his goodbyes and we always expected him to return in the Spring.”
Thank you, Bill, for your longtime support to our organization and providing housing for the struggling people of our community.
Published by