This week, flags in Tillsonburg were flown at half-mast to honor the memory of Bill Pratt.
A former Citizen of the Year, editor, and co-owner of The Tillsonburg News, Pratt was well-regarded for his contributions to the community. He received numerous accolades including the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Confederation Medal, the Canada/Holland Medal, and a Paul Harris Fellow.
Pratt’s extensive contributions can be seen throughout Tillsonburg today. He played a role in many local organizations such as: Tillsonburg Multi-Service Centre, the second ice pad, the kidney dialysis unit in Tillsonburg, Theatre Tillsonburg, Fanshawe College’s Tillsonburg Campus, the Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce, the Tillsonburg Air Show, the Community Centre in Tillsonburg, additions to the Memorial Hospital, and also at the Seniors’ Centre. He served as president of the Tillsonburg Fair Board and volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society for over 60 years. Bill and his wife Marion joined the curling club in town during the early 1960s. He was on its board and kept actively curling until January this year.
“He was just a super, super person,” said former Mayor John Armstrong. “The term gentleman applied to him to the n-th degree. He was so involved in community activities and handled everything with taste and finesse.”
Pratt’s efforts with Annandale National Historic Site and Museum were honored by naming an exhibit gallery after him.
Joan Weston, a volunteer at Annandale National Historic Site mentioned that Pratt had been part of the historical society for 50 years. He was among five individuals who each contributed $1,000 to save Annandale House from being torn down and continued his volunteering work there.
“He still came by weekly bringing them (staff) coffee and donuts while catching up with them,” she shared.
Former Mayor Cam Mc Knight also reflected on Pratt’s career in journalism. His grandfather HF Johnston owned The Tillsonburg News when Pratt started working there full-time back in 1950.
“With a degree in journalism from Western University under his belt, I’m sure he instantly elevated editorial quality at The News. Just two years later he became local editor,” Mc Knight recalled.
His father JCR Mc Knight became friends with Pratt; together they purchased The News during the 1960s. Under their management it grew from publishing once a week to three times a week before expanding into seven weeklies under Otter Publishing.
Pratt also took on leadership roles as president of both Ontario Community Newspaper Association and Canadian Community Newspaper Association.
“One task he valued but sometimes disliked was writing lead editorials for The News editions. Whenever deadline approached , Bill – cigar lit in his office ashtray – would be tapping away at his old typewriter trying to find just right words to encourage or critique residents and municipal leaders ,” he explained. “He would leverage The News ’s editorial influence- which held considerable weight back then – either supporting or opposing local issues while explaining why. ”
Expanding on Pratt’s impact , Mc Knight noted , “Bill had an amazing knack for making his point without creating any enemies. That skill transcended beyond newspapers allowing him significant influence over major projects within our town.”
Among journalists influenced by Pratt is Post ist Paul Knowles , who gave him his first reporting job.
“I wouldn’t have had my career spanning over 50 years without him ,” Knowles stated. “He instilled hard work habits within me – write often but revise even more frequently. Though I was new on staff , he allowed me space to write personal s – something I still do today within my travel articles. His love for this community endured until his final days; part of our responsibility at The News was championing causes important to Bill like till Fair events. It’s fair to say I owe much enjoyment from my writing journey thanks to Bill Pratt-a truly great individual.”
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There’s a saying among journalists claiming those committed towards newspapers possess ‘ink running through their veins.’ Even though decades passed since he’s been engaged full-time within editorial work , he never distanced himself completely from it all; when Post debuted its first issue ; Bill showed up eager get hands-on knowledge about paper bringing fresh community news back home again-offering support through photos now then keeping current regarding happenings around town.
If ink flowed through those veins; so did passion towards helping others make difference !
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