Donald H. Pratt, age 85, of Prairie Village, Kansas passed away on Monday, April 3, 2023.

Don was born in Hays, KS to Donald and Ida Pratt on December 2, 1937. He grew up in Hays with his two brothers, Lawrence (deceased) and Steve. He developed a passion for airplanes much like his father. He first started flying airplanes at age 14 and was a crop-duster during summer breaks. He attended Wichita State University earning a civil engineering degree and bringing the national fraternity Beta Theta Tau to WSU and becoming its first chapter President. He spent three years in the United States Air Force as a Base Civil Engineer at Otis Airfare Base in Wareham, Massachusetts He was disappointed that he was unable to fly for the Air Force, as it was determined that he was green/gray color blind. After receiving an honorable discharge, he attended Harvard University and earned his MBA.

Upon graduation, he went to work with Butler Manufacturing. Don spent 36 years at Butler building an illustrious career. He started as an industrial engineer in Galesburg, Illinois and after several years was brought to the headquarters in Kansas City, Mo. Over the next three decades he became the President and then Chairman of the Board, growing the company both nationally and internationally. After his retirement he served as the Independent Chairman of the Board at American Century Investments for seven years and considered his time at American Century to be both fulfilling and rewarding.

While at Wichita State, Don met George-Ann Hinkle and they were married June 7, 1960. They were married for 61 years prior to her passing in 2021. He and George-Ann raised their family of two children, Jacqueline and Donald, in Kansas City. Don generously shared his knowledge and time in his community as well; serving on the Nelson Gallery Board of Trustees, and the Union National Bank Board in Wichita, Ks. He was a longtime member of Mission Hills Country Club and the River Club. In his retirement, Don and George-Ann adopted Shelbyville, TN. as their second home. While George-Ann pursued her equestrian passion with Tennessee Walking horses, Don became an active member of the community. He was very involved with St William Catholic Church as well as the Riverbend Country Club. Don was an avid golfer and particularly enjoyed time spent on the course with his son, and life long friends. He was particularly proud of his club tournament wins and the opportunity to play in several pro-am events with American Century.

Don was a thoughtful, wise and gracious man who was always willing to listen and provide guidance. Don is survived by two children, Jacqueline P. (Matthew) McGuire and Donald A. (Kathy) Pratt; two grandchildren, Kevin (Courtney) Crawford and Grant (Alivia) Crawford; and a great-granddaughter, Lilliana Lynn Crawford.

Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Wayside Waifs.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleymidtownchapel.com for the Pratt family.

Obituary – Dr. Jose Rafael Rigual MD
Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Obituary – Hubert “Moe” Morton Lawell

Mrs. Shirley Hege Myers, 87, passed away Friday, March 17, 2023. She was born October 12, 1935, in Forsyth County to the late Russell and Catherine Hege. Many things brought Shirley joy in life, but nothing more than her love for the Lord. She enjoyed participating in her church, baking and cooking, tending to her flowers, spending time with her husband, and going to horse shows. She was humble, kind, and so thoughtful in the way she loved others. She treated everyone like family and truly made an impact on all who knew her. She retired from R.J. Reynolds with 35 years of service.

In addition to her parents, Shirley is preceded in death by her uncle and aunt, Preston and Thelma “Teenie” Hege, her aunts, Mildred and Margaret Snyder, her sister, Edna Hege Duren (John), and her niece, Kristen Duren. She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Kenneth Myers, and many people in her life (and their families) that meant the world to her, including Amy Myers Brooks, Melinda Burton, Debbie Cook, Nancy Curkendall, Marie Duren Eudy, Julie “Bud” Curkendall Forrest, Nancy Gentry, Randy Jones, Jennifer Curkendall Lawson, Bryan Myers, Lib Myers, Travis Myers, Marcelino Resendiz, and many other beloved friends and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service and a visitation was held on Friday, March 24 at Konnoak Baptist Church with Pastor Dennis Hester and Pastor Mike Peters officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Konnoak Baptist Church, 400 McLean Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27127. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Arnold Mark Williams, age 67 of Shelbyville, passed away on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.  Mark was born in Memphis, Tennessee on November 15, 1954 to the late Ben and Annalee (Carmen) Williams.

Mark and his wife Deborah were the owner and operators of A to Z Embroidery and life-long supporters and enthusiasts of the Tennessee Walking Horse.  He was a member of New Beginnings Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, Mark was preceded in death by his brother, Ben Gaia Williams. He is survived by his loving wife of forty-six years, Deborah Williams; daughter, Kristin Williams of Shelbyville; granddaughters, Haley Helton and Presley Brantley, both of Shelbyville; and brother, Danny Williams of Florida.

A Memorial Service for Mark will be held in the near future. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.

Mrs. Joyce Malone Johnson, age 89 of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, passed away on Sunday, June 13, 2021.

Mrs. Johnson was born February 15, 1932 in Smithville, Tennessee, a daughter of the late Ernest Malone and Claudia Grooms Malone. He was also preceded in death by her husband, retired American Airlines Captain, Charles R. “Cotton” Johnson and a sister, Judy Malone Cox.

Mrs. Johnson pioneered the Stewardess Corp with American Airlines and later moved to Chicago as Chief Stewardess between 1952 and 1957. She served as director of the housing authority in Shelbyville for five years. She also served the city of the Shelbyville on the Beer Board. Mrs. Johnson earned her relators license and worked for 25 years, becoming President of Middle Tennessee Board of Realtors. She was also an active member of the Kiwanis Club where she served as President.

Mrs. Johnson is survived by daughter, Lesa Charlynn Johnson of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and several nieces and nephews.

The family will hold a private service at a later date.

The family requests memorials in Mrs. Johnson’s memory be made to St. Jude.

Obituary – Raymond Huey “Buddy” Wilhelm Jr.
Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Raymond Huey “Buddy” Wilhelm Jr., age 70, of Petersburg TN, passed from this life Monday, June 21, 2021, at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Buddy was born July 10, 1950, in New Hope, AL. He was the son of the late Raymond Huey Wilhelm Sr. and Dorothy Virginia Buford Wilhelm. He was a lifelong farmer, raised on his family’s farm in the Belfast Community where he loved hard work, walking horses, and the farm life, raising beef cattle, working hay and spending time with his family. He was a member of TN Walking Horse Breeders Association and Marshall County Farmers CO-OP

Survivors include: loving wife of 50 years, Vickie Lynn Pickle Wilhelm; Children; Richard (Kristin) Wilhelm of Shelbyville, and Lori (Tant) Mason of Belfast; sister, Annette Rodgers of Lewisburg; brothers, Mike Wilhelm of Murfreesboro, and Johnny Glenn Wilhelm of Petersburg; grandchildren; Cali, and Kate Mason, Hunter and Grace Wilhelm; also several nieces and nephews.

Graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Round Hill Cemetery in the Belfast Community with Dr. Taylor Todd officiating.

Visitation will be held 4-7 p.m. Friday June 25, 2021, at Doak-Howell Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made to Bedford Cancer Foundation at
www.bedfordcancerfoundation.org or by mail: P.O. Box 1523 Shelbyville,TN 37162-1523

Doak-Howell Funeral Home is serving the family.

Obituary – Judy Tillett Young
Saturday, April 24, 2021

Judy Tillett Young, age 67, of the Wheel Community passed from this life Friday, April 23, 2021 at her home surrounded by her family.

Born July 23, 1953, in Shelbyville, TN, Judy was the daughter of the late Joe Charles and Dorothy Jean Garner Tillett. Judy was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Ronal Young.

She is survived by: step-daughter, Beth (Josh) Lawwell; mother-in-law, Jean (Bob) Poarch; grandkids, Jessica and Johnathon Lawwell; and brother, Joe (Nancy) Tillett.

Judy was a former Amateur World Grand Champion and multi grand champion rider of many horses.  She was well-known for riding ‘Black Magic Woman” in her orange riding suit. She attended New Beginnings Baptist Church and worked for Tillett Brothers with her Daddy for many years. In her free time she loved trail riding, camping, her dogs, and loved to be with her step-daughter and watching her grandkids show horses and play sports.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Doak-Howell Funeral Home with Brother Steve Murphree officiating.  Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be held prior to service starting at 11:00 p.m. Tuesday morning, April 27, 2021 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Doak-Howell Funeral Home to assist the family with the final expenses.

Doak-Howell Funeral Home is serving the family.