William Clyde Prouty Jr.

William Clyde Prouty Jr. February 10, 1921 - November 16, 2010 W.C. Prouty, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully with family at his side November 16, 2010, at Lake Shore Village Nursing Center, Waco. Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 20, at Waco Memorial Park with the Rev. Ronnie Smith officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 19, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. W.C. was born on February 10, 1921, in Kirven, Texas, to William Clyde Sr. and Susan Emiline Culbreth Prouty. He moved to Waco as a young boy and attended the Waco schools, graduating from Waco High School in 1939. W.C. attended Baylor University until enlisting in the military. He proudly served his country for over fifty years in the National Guard, Army Air Corps, United States Navy, Civil Air Patrol and United States Post Office. While serving in the 15th Air Force 55th Bombardment Group in World War II, he was shot down behind enemy lines and was listed as missing in action MIA for over six weeks while evading enemy capture. W.C. married Felma Rose Davis November 11, 1949. They made Waco their home and had four loving children. They loved very much and were so very proud of Clyde, Kathleen, Cliff and Eileen Prouty. W.C. and Felma moved to Bruceville, Texas, in 1977. He owned and operated a farm and ranch near Rogers, Texas, which he had begun in the 1940's with his beloved uncle, Simon Culbreth. W.C. also invested in real estate and operated a rental house business for many years. He was a licensed pilot and enjoyed flying his family to vacation destinations. W.C. owned a summer home on the banks of the Rio Grande River in South Fork, Colorado, where he and his wife enjoyed each other for years after their retirement. After losing his first wife, Felma, in 1999, he became reacquainted with a high school friend, Lilah Puckett. They married June of 2000. W.C. will be especially remembered for his love of family, strong work ethic, joy of flying and his membership and participation in the Civil Air Patrol. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife for almost fifty years, Felma; his loving daughter, Kathleen; his sister, Mary Love Martin; and many great friends. He is survived by his second wife, Lilah. Those left to cherish his memory are his sons, Clyde Prouty; and Cliff and wife, Renee; daughter, Eileen and her husband, Michael Smith; grandchildren, Lauren, her husband, Danny; Thomas Prouty, Nicole and her husband, Staff Sergeant William Evans and Chase and Cameron Smith; great grandchildren, Kayli Marie Prouty, Kylah and Chloe; a loving son-in-law, Gary; and a special friend, Alice Gonzales. To a great and close family friend, Teressa Dickenson, we thank you for all the love and support you have given to W.C. and his family. We are extremely grateful to C.J. Harper RMT, who provided W.C. with a great deal of comfort and moral support for more than six years. We also want to thank nurse, Dot, for those late night talks with him. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.