Chili /Batavia - William Sidney Pratt, age 75, died peacefully in his sleep on January 21, 2018, at Strong Memorial Hospital, after a brief struggle with cancer. Bill was born November 4, 1942 in Batavia, NY, the son of the late William E. and Mary I. Lambert Pratt.
Bill had an outgoing and generous personality, always putting others first and finding ways to help friends and family. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, spending many days at Godfrey's Pond or sitting in a deer stand, later in life more likely to report on the deer he watched beneath his feet rather than shooting at them. Bill had no greater love than his wife Elaine, who he cared for faithfully in the last decade in her illness.
Bill graduated from Notre Dame High School before serving in the Navy for four years aboard the USS Witek. The fondest memories of Bill and Elaine were the years in Newport, RI. It was a memorable return to Batavia in a 57 Chevy, with a hole in the floorboard and unable to go above 40 mph towing the trailer behind. He worked for Gram Corporation in Batavia his entire career. Following his retirement, he found enjoyment in working at the Chili Country Club.
Bill was a dog lover, walking his dog Heidi through the streets of Chili, allowing plenty of time to stop and chat with neighbors. Bill was a lifelong fan of the Buffalo Bills and New York Yankees, and was glad to see both make the postseason.
Bill was predeceased by his wife Elaine R. Boyle Pratt whom he married on November 23, 1963 and lost on October 2, 2017, his son Timothy and Sister Margaret Wescott. He is survived by his grandson, Billy (Ashlee) Pratt of San Angelo, TX; 2 great-grandchildren, Aubrey Pratt and Jacob Pratt, both of TX; 3 sisters Marilyn Orlando, Jean Barnard and Mary Joan (George) Davis all of Batavia and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 25 at 3 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church followed by a reception to celebrate his life at Rohrbach's Brewpub. Interment will be held at 10 am on Friday at Grand View Cemetery, Clinton Street in Batavia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in his name to Trinity Lutheran Church 191 Nichols Street, Spencerport, NY 14559. Arrangements were completed by H.E. Turner & Co., Funeral Home of Batavia.