Just some of the comments left on facebook for Dad/Will. Love the one from his college room mate.
You were hard on me.
You loved me. You saw something inside me others didn't see. You made me run a lot. You challenged me to work harder in school. You challenged me to work harder on the basketball court. You made me laugh. You made me cry. You changed my thought processes and patterns. You made me feel comfortable in "uncomfortable" situations which helps me today. You dealt with conflict with confidence and poise I couldn't have. You put up with lots of bull. You married a wonderful women who inspired me to get married as well. You got by without "material" things and i don't remember you complaining one bit. You encouraged me. You built my confidence in many areas. You made me laugh so hard so many times. You favored me. You treated me like a son. You had a loose tongue. You had a sensitive heart. You had good intentions so often. You acted like one of the guys. You were incredibly confident and yet I can still say I saw humbleness in much of what you did. You humbled yourself a couple years ago to a point I can't imagine. You were incomplete without your wife. You are on my heart and mind now, but you've always been there and been a constant thought through the last 10 yrs. I wish I could have spent more time with you. I never wanted to move to Omaha largely because of you. I have been forever changed by you coach. I can't wait to see you again soon. You were a hard worker. You made mistakes but i think most of the time your heart was good. You married up! You were gifted in so much, especially motivating me and others to do things many would consider impossible. You were hilarious. You were so gifted at saying things that needed to be said without being offensive (although I'm sure you were offensive enough other times! :) You made it clear you would fly up to Omaha if I ever needed anything. You were so real! You were so genuine! I loved your openess. I loved your sense of humor. I loved you and can't wait to see you again soon. Through it all, I can say that God used you in my life and I'm so much better off because of you. Thank you for being in my life. I know you couldn't have been the man you are without your family and now they remain here without you. Please know I'm there for them if they ever need me and all 9 of them will be in my prayers intentionally. I will not forget you and can't wait to find you one day. You'll be one of the first I look up, guaranteed. Love, Paul Coach Will Pratz, Words will never come close to the amount of inspiration, strength and personal courage you helped foster and grow in me. Long after Basketball I carry your lessons with me. You will forever be an inspiration and facet of strength in my life. Love you Sir. God is still working through the seeds you planted so long ago. See you in the Kingdom.
David Sampson
Mrs. Pratz, I am so far behind on what happenend, but I will be praying for you and your family! Mr. Pratz was always my favorite teacher at Temple Heights! He was such a great man and incredible teacher!!!
Jennifer
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Pratz was my Bible teacher and he really impacted me. I'll be praying for you and your family.
Jenny
Oh Nancy! I am so saddened by this news! We did not know he was sick until just a few days ago. Andy and I thought the world of Will. So did our children, Drew and Amy. Will was a positive role model to our son during his middle school years at Bell Shoals. I recently came across a journal entry I'd made dated Aug 31, ...2000 when Will called to encourage us about Drew; he said some very sweet things that as a mother, I wanted to record! I can't wait till that glorious reunion one day when I can thank him again myself!
Praying for you and the kids and sending all our love from your Bell Shoals family. I still to this day look back on middle school, and Coach Pratz was one of the biggest reasons I miss it. So sad to hear the news. I will always remember him, and I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Michael
Coach had a unique way of pushing us so hard and still letting us know that he loved us (even though he wasn't even technically the girls coach - he and coach Ferguson often teamed up on this!). He was a great man, and there is no telling how many lives he has touched. I am sending lots of prayers for your family...I wish you guys were close by so I could wrap my arms around you, but know that you are definitely in my prayers!
Melissa
Love you guys.. Praying for y'all.. Coach made the biggest impact in my life as an athlete and a person.. His legacy will continue on and will always be remebered forever.. I am proud to say that coach helped make me the person I am today.. God bless you guys through this time.
Taylor
Nancy, let me know if you need anything at all. Coach changed my life and his lessons still impact me today. His lessons were there in my darkest hours as a light of hope and still bring strength to me today. Im proud to say because of him I am a better man, husband, Son and friend. My prayers are with you guys. He really did change my life and teach me to do the right thing no matter what.
David Will will be missed. He was a great guy. My sons only knew him for a short time, but in that time he showed my children much love. We are all very sorry for your loss!
Charon
Nancy. Will and I were college roommates at C'ville. It was great to get back in touch with him through Facebook late last year. Will was a fun roommate. A little messy and slow to do his laundry (he would borrow my underwear), but his spirit and love for life was infectious.
Will and I played B-ball on an intramural 3-man team with another friend. Will’s outside shooting skills kept us in many of games. He was one of the few tall guys that did not play under the basket and actually could shoot. He did not play defense; he figured if he scored more points than his guy, then we would win. He was mostly right about that. I think every single person on campus knew Will by name; and Will knew everyone by their name. We would walk to classes from dorm rooms as we chatted-it-up only interrupted by calling out names of people as we walked. His famous line was to greet by saying “Yo Jay” or “Yo Bill.” Everyone would “Yo Will” in return. It soon became the campus greeting line used by everyone all 4-years I was there. In fact, I still catch myself using the greeting for really good friends today. The world has lost one of its sources of positive energy and goodwill. I am excited that between the 8 children you two have, each will bring the energy instilled by their Dad to their individual lives as they progress forward. And hopefully, each of your children have learned, through their Dad’s example, that laundry really needs to be completed once a week; or at the very least, borrowing underwear is not a “good place” to be. Our prayers are with you. Jay Lost a good friend and mentor yesterday. Will Pratz was my high school basketball coach. Always thought we would get the opportunity to coach together..... His enthusiasm and love for basketball, people and life will be truly missed.
Bill Robinson
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