Lake Charles - Wilford Prater, 83, passed away on Thursday, July 26, 2018 in a local hospital.

He was a native of Westlake, LA and lived in Lake Charles most of his life. He was a former employee of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and a retiree of W.O. Moss Regional Hospital. He was a member of Marshal Passe'-Trailriders.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Cotlone Prater, parents; Earthly and Eunice Prater, siblings; Bernice Lee, Ruby Payne, Bertrand Prater, and Clayton Prater, sons: Perry Chatman and Harold Cotlone.

Survivors include his sons; Gregory Prater, David Prater of Houston, TX, James Cotlone of Los Angeles, CA, Ray Rideau of Welsh, LA, Donald Chatman of Moss Bluff, LA, and Robert Francis of Lake Charles; two sisters, Tommie Lou Prater and Iry Kirkwood; four brothers, Morris Prater, Darial Prater, John Prater, and Karl Ray Prater all of Lake Charles, LA; daughter-in-law, Loretta Cotlone

Funeral service for Wilford Prater will be on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 11 AM at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Mossville, La with the Rev. Larry Gasaway officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday, August 4, from 9 AM to 11 AM at Mt. Zion Baptist Church as well. Burial will be in the Mt. Zion Baptist Church cemetery in Mossville under the direction of Fondel Memorial Chapel.