Billie Prater Wheat

Billie Prater Wheat, age 94, died Friday, June 30, 2017, in Wheeler. Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 3, 2017 at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel, 400 West Pecan Street, Coleman, with Rev. Gary Boyd officiating. Burial will follow at Coleman City Cemetery under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

She was born Billie Louise Swearengin on January 18, 1923 to Archie Roy and Ora Mae Swearengin in Santa Anna. She attended school at Sidney, where she received medals in English and basketball. She graduated from Sidney High School in 1940. Billie married Harold M. Prater on December 23, 1941 in Brownwood. They celebrated almost 45 years of marriage. They moved to Coleman County after World War II and lived there for the remainder of their lives together. Billie was a homemaker and active member of First Baptist Church in Coleman. She enjoyed working at the Sears Catalog Store and Taylor Motor Company. Billie will always be remembered for her sweet spirit and wonderful sense of humor. She was a “people person”. Despite many hardships, she was always smiling, surrounded by family and a host of good friends. After Harold’s death in 1986, she married Sidney Wheat on June 6, l992 in Coleman. They celebrated nearly 11 years of marriage. Because of a stroke, she had made her home at Holiday Hill in Coleman since 2002, and later moving to Wheeler in 2016. The family is so thankful for the care and love she received at both places. Her family and many friends were a big part of her life.

Billie is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Harold, and second husband, Sidney; her son, Lynn Prater; step-son, Paul Wheat and a brother, C.D. Swearengin.

She is survived by her son, Carl Prater and wife Sandra of Wheeler; three grandchildren, Reaves Prater and friend, Amanda Callaway of Houston, Jacob Prater and wife Kristine of The Colony, and Carrie Scruggs and husband Nathan of Pampa, her great-grandchildren are Emma and Daisye Prater of Houston, and Aidan and Dylan Scruggs of Pampa. She is also survived by nieces Mary Ellen Martin and Martha Barnes; nephews Gary Don Swearengin and David Swearengin; step-son Gary Wheat and wife Phyllis; step-daughter Jeane Keas and husband Rickey.

There will be a visitation with the family on Sunday, July 2, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial donations in memory of Billie may be made to the charity of your choice.

Condolences for the family may left at www.livingmemorials.com.