Obituary of Willard Conrad PRATTE

August 7, 1934 – Lafleche, Saskatchewan
June 15, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Willard Pratte of Calgary, AB, passed away suddenly at home on Monday, June 15, 2020 at the age of 85 years.

Willard was born on August 7, 1934 in Lafleche, SK, the oldest of four children, to Gerard and Cecilia Pratte. Willard came to Calgary from Weyburn, SK in 1954 working as a mechanic.  He later took on a position at his uncle’s service station where, by chance, he met Gwen.  They married in 1960, started a family in 1961 and began working at the Firestone plant. Willard started out building tires but advanced quickly though the company into the front office and then management. Instead of moving the family to Quebec with the closure of the plant in 1978, he decided to create a family business, WC Pratte Developments Ltd. The company operated for the next twenty-three years fabricating cedar wood flower planters and trellis.  In his retirement, Willard enjoyed making wine and beer, helping out his children and grandchildren and loved attending family parties.  He will be remembered for his sense of humour, intelligence, soft heart and his willingness to teach while helping out with projects. 

Besides his loving wife Gwen of nearly sixty years, Willard is survived by his children, Kelly (Julie) Pratte, Shannon (Dave) Krasman, Aaron (Suzanne) Pratte and Ricki (Ron) Boudreau; grandchildren, Kevin, Sydney, Erica, Rebecca, Brett, Dominique and Dorian. He will also be greatly missed by his brother Dale (Maryellen) and sister Dolores, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  

Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Monday, June 22, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Willard’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

The family would like to thank Calgary Fire, EMS and Police responders for their compassion, professionalism and wonderful support. 

In living memory of Willard Pratte, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD SE, CALGARY, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.