Posted: Feb. 24, 2009 |(0) Comments

Louis Exel Pruitt of South Milwaukee, formerly of West Allis, died Feb. 8, 2009, at age 85.

He was born Aug. 18, 1923, in Scottsville, Ky., the son of the late Hershel and Nellie Pruitt. He graduated in 1942 from Allen County High School, where he was known for his prowess on the basketball court. He served his country in World War II by enlisting in the U.S. Navy in March 1943 and ultimately was attached to a Naval Advance Base Unit on Leyte in the Philippines.

Eight days after his release from the Navy in 1946, he married Doris, whom he had dated while stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station. The couple settled in West Allis, where he worked for more than 35 years at Allis Chalmers.

He especially enjoyed working for the West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation Department after retirement. He loved gardening, sports of all kinds and spending time with his family. He was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of West Allis.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Doris (nee Michels) Pruitt; children, Gary (Kathy) of Plymouth, Patricia Moss (Robert) of Caledonia, Randall (Rose) of Lynchburg, Va., Douglas (Jeanine) of West Allis, Timothy (Diane) of Racine and James (Mary Beth) of Racine; grandchildren, Nathan (Becky), Amy (Bryan), Christopher (Louisa), Hannah, Collin, Christine, Tracy, Lauren, Jacqueline, Benjamin, Abby and Samantha; five great-grandchildren; brother, William (Barbara) of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; sister, Dora Dean Steenbergen (John) of Scottsville, Ky.; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert Jewell, Andrew Weldon, Artie B. and Herman Deward; and sisters, Carrie Fletcher Tidd and Eula Gladys Keene.

Funeral services were Feb. 14.

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church West Allis or the Alzheimer's Association.

Krause Funeral Homes and Cremation Service handled the arrangements.