Phillip Wayne Prater, 82, of Fort Myers, Florida (formerly of Savannah, MO) passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 19, 2024. Phil was born on March 22, 1942 in Fillmore, to Harlan Rex and Neva Dean (Brewer) Prater.  He was a proud 1960 graduate from Fillmore High School.  Following high school, Phil attended Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City where he graduated in 1966.

Phil's first marriage was to Crickett (Payne) on April 12, 1969. They were married for 12 years, living most of those years in Savannah and having two children, Dean and Tiffonie.

Phil's inaugural Chiropractic practice was in Republic, MO for a brief period of time. He then practiced in Maryville for two years before moving his practice to Savannah in 1971where he practiced for many years. In 1993, he purchased a second practice in Gallatin, MO and maintained clinics in both Savannah and Gallatin for three years. Eventually, he sold the Savannah practice and practiced solely in Gallatin until his retirement in 2004.

Throughout the years, Phil was a member of the Missouri State Chiropractic Association, Lincoln Lodge #138 (joining in 1975), and the Antioch Christian Church.  He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, boating, flying airplanes, road trips, and cheering for the Chiefs. Most of all, Phil enjoyed the company of his family and friends.  Phil did not know a stranger and would always pull up a chair at the end of his driveway for a beverage and some friendly banter. Phil was an amazing cook, especially when it came to homemade noodles, macaroni and cheese, and fried fish. Phil shared his cooking skills on his numerous annual fishing trips to Canada, which were a highlight. He took great pleasure in serving his Canada bounty, or any fish really, at his annual fish fries where all who were lucky enough to attend would be served delicious fried fish along with some amazing stories.  Phil was able to fix anything or find a solution to most problems, especially if it was written on his notepad which he loyally kept in his shirt pocket beside his trusted pen. A "get it done" type of guy, Phil was who many turned to for assistance. Even in his later years, when he wasn't able to fix the problem himself, Phil was a problem solver.  A positive attitude, his blue eyed wink, and curiosity for life is what kept Phil young at heart and what will forever be remembered as some of his most beloved traits.

On October 5, 2001, Phil married Joyce (Crippin) in Liberty, MO, living at The Lake of the Ozarks and finally in Fort Myers, Florida, until his passing.  Phil is preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Chase Douglas Dirks; brothers, Russell and Harlan (Sid) Prater; stepmother, Charlotte (Puett) Prater. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; children, Dean (Kirstyn) Prater, Phoenix, AZ; Tiffonie (Carl) Dirks, Prairie Village, KS; stepchildren, Jessica (Brandon) Teter, Fayette, MO; Lee (Lori) Haney, Sedalia, MO; grandchildren, Mason and Emily Prater; Jake and Lillian Dirks; Olivia Smith; Miles Haney; Seven beloved nieces and nephews; numerous other family and friends.

Memorial will be at Heaton-Bowman-Smith Savannah Chapel at 307 S 6th Street - Savannah, MO on January 10, 2025 with visitation from 1:00-3:00pm and service at 3:00pm.