Will Pruett Final
Voyage September 6, 2009
TO ALL HANDS
OF THE USS PERRY DD-844
Dear Shipmate,
Once again I am the bearer of very sad news. Our beloved shipmate
Will Pruett has taken his final voyage on Sunday, September 6,
2009 to join his extended Perry family that sailed on earlier.
If any solace can be had at this time it is the understanding
that Will left behind an unblemished legacy of love and friendship
with everyone having had the privilege to know him. I'm sure
I'm just one of a multitude of people who feel as I do. While
I've only known Will since 1999, I can truly say his life was
that of an exemplary roll model that we would all be proud to
achieve. His wonderful family is testimony to all I say, and
they have given Will his greatest achievements.
Will loved our Perry Association and
always thought of us as his extended family. These are just not
words, they are facts. I recall vividly meeting Will for the
first time at our 1st reunion in Virginia Beach, VA. We were
on the chow line together making small talk. His son David was
with him, and I thought to myself how nice it was that this young
man was looking out for dear old dad. From the outset I just
knew these werfrese.htme very special
people and it didn't take long for us to know our assumptions
were correct. Soon afterwards we learned this very nice young man
David was a Navy Captain stationed in DC. Will unselfishly gave
us permission to officially adopt his son David into our extended
Perry family, and without hesitation David agreed. As our first
honorary member, we soon had David working at our 2001 Jacksonville,
FL reunion. David, now a Rear Admiral and being able to allot
some time to his Perry family he humbly accepted our request
to serve as our reunion Skipper. At our request, he attended
our banquet in his dress white naval uniform and delivered a
most dynamite speech. Will was so proud to see his son David
mingling with everyone at the banquet and just being one of the
Perry boys. We couldn't express our gratitude enough to Will
for lending us David and making this an extraordinary reunion
event to remember.
Will was a most active member of our
Association and was most instrumental with our growth. He formed
and Chaired the Membership Council and Crew Chief's committees
and was always Johnny-on-the-spot to lend an ear and offer advice.
Will attended our 1st four reunions and was the reunion Chairman of our 4th reunion
in Branson. I can only say his effort was extraordinary. He made
everyone's job real easy by personally accomplishing everything
required and I mean from A-Z. He planned the entire event, printed
the program and got two excellent guest speakers, an Air Force
General and a Senator. It was also at this reunion that our memorial
service became a reunion tradition that we have followed ever
since. Will orchestrated this event with a Scottish Bag Piper
playing amazing grace while leading a march of candle holders
who represented all our shipmates 'gone but not forgotten'. Each shipmate being honored
was represented by a shipmate with a lit candle that was snuffed
out after reading the name of shipmate. There wasn't a dry eye
in the room.
For health reasons Will was unable to
attend our other reunions. However, he never lost touch with
his extended Perry family and continued to play an active roll
in our Association. The following year when his son, Rear Admiral
David Pruett was retiring from the Navy, his health also
prevented him from attending his son's retirement ceremony in
Washington D.C. While Will was very sad because he could not
attend David's retirement, he was happy for all the other family
members who would be there to share this special day. With David
being a part of our extended Perry family, I was truly privileged
and proud to be there representing our extended Perry family
for this most joyous occasion. It was a day that will remain
forever in my memory bank.
The old adage of 'you can't
keeping a good man down' and 'when you want something done you
give it to the busiest guy in town' truly
applies to Will. I've known for some time that Will helped form
a men's chorus. What most surprised me however was his singing
ability. Can you believe he was chorus soloist at several of
their early public performances? I'm sure Will would approve
of my sharing his most recent email to me on August 26, 2009.
The song you hear in the background 'Steal away to Jesus' is
one extracted from their CD.
Will's
email - I'm
very proud to let you know that SINGING MEN OF ARKANSAS has rapidly
progressed toward professionalism and to the point that a CD
was produced recently and is now available to the public at $15
each, free of postage and handling cost. They are available through
our website www.singingmenofarkansas.org entitled
"Celebrate Musical America", a 50 voice men's choir
performing patriotic, and classic gospel, even a little Billy
Joel. It has 13 well known songs including "The Best of
Doo-Wop", "I'll Fly Away", "O Worship the
King", "Star Spangled Banner", and "Battle
Hymn of the Republic", etc. You'll enjoy it. I invite you
to please check out the website given. You'll be glad you did.
By the way, if you know someone who would like to become a part
of this growing group in demand to perform, please let me know.
All I need is a name and email address. THANKS for your interest.
Respectfully, Will Pruett
What a guy, we'll see
you in Pensacola
Until we meet again.
Steve Silk and your extended Perry family wishing you a smooth
voyage.
Condolences can
be mailed to: (Will's
email address is inactive) The
Pruett Family 2452 Pin
Oak St. Fayetteville,
AR 2701
PHOTO
LINKS
1st reunion - Capt. Garrett
& Capt. Pruett photo 2nd reunion - Rear Admiral David Pruett - Jackson,
FL Rear Admiral David Pruett - Retirement Ceremony www.singingmenofarkansas.org
Obituary Wilford Rae Pruett
(December 4, 1927 - September 6, 2009)
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WILFORD RAE PRUETT Wilford Rae Pruett, age 81, of Fayetteville
died Sunday, September 6, 2009 at his home. He was born December
4, 1927 in Plainview, TX the son of Hubert Fred Pruett and Silvia
Maude Wilcox. Will proudly served his country in the Navy aboard
the USS Perry (DD844). Following his naval service, Will attended
the University of Texas graduating with a Bachelor of Business
Administration degree, and completed his graduate degree in Commercial
Banking from Stonier Graduate School, in cooperation with Rutgers
University. He was employed as a senior executive in the banking
industry throughout Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas for 45 years.
During his business career, he served his community as a leader
in numerous civic organizations, particularly the Chamber of
Commerce. A lifelong member of the Baptist Church, Will was always
an active participant as a deacon and in the music ministry.
Most recently, he was a member of the University Baptist Church
in Fayetteville, and the proud co-founder of Singing Men of Arkansas.
Since his retirement in 1995, Wills life was centered around
family, friends and church. He was a devoted husband, father,
grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his beloved
wife, Billye Jean (Marshall) Pruett, whom he married on November
7, 1948. Children: Susan and Anthony Stamilio of Arlington, VA;
David and Phyllis Pruett of Virginia Beach, VA and Marshall and
Lita Pruett of Allen, TX. Grandchildren: Amy and Andy McCoy of
Syracuse, NY; Dana Stamilio of Alexandria, VA; Kent and Kathryn
Pruett of Richmond, VA; Laura Pruett of Virginia Beach, VA; Kate
Pruett and Tina Pruett of Denver, CO and Ryan Pruett of Allen,
TX. Great grandchildren: Ruby McCoy of Syracuse, NY and Nolan
Pruett of Richmond, VA. He is also survived by his brother George
Pruett, with his wife Ella, of Richardson, TX, and his sister
Mary Woodard, with her husband Raymond, of Seminole, TX. Tommy
Marshall, with his wife Hedy Marshall, of Huntsville, AR and
Larry Marshall, with his wife Majell, of Harrah, OK are the surviving
brothers of Billye Pruett. Dozens of nieces and nephews join
in the familys loss. Funeral services will be held at noon
Friday at University Baptist Church in Fayetteville, with Pastor
H D McCarty officiating and musical performance by Singing Men
of Arkansas. Burial will be at the Fairview Cemetery in Fayetteville
under the direction of Moores Chapel. Visitation: Thursday
evening at Moores Chapel from 5 to 7 PM Please sign the
online guestbook by visiting mooresfuneralchapel.com.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be
sent to: Wilford R. Pruett Memorial Fund of Singing Men of Arkansas
1935 Willow Ridge Ave. Springdale, AR 72764. |
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