Billy Strain

Billy Bruton Strain, age 88, of Goodyear, Arizona peacefully passed away February 13, 2014 at 12:09 p.m.  He was a retired U.S. Navy Chief Aviation Pilot.  Born May 30, 1925 in Grapevine, Texas; Billy served in several Navy Aviation Squadrons in the Pacific and Air Stations in the U.S.  He was a Naval Flight Instructor, member of The Military Assistance Group China and a charter member of the Silver Eagles Association.  Billy retired from the Navy after 21 years of service when the Litchfield Naval Air Facility closed and was a resident of Goodyear for 55 years.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Louise Waltman of Omaha, Nebraska and is survived by their 4 children- Joan Charters, Bill, Kirk and Scott Strain; 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.  Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 24th at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Avondale.  Interment will be at National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Hospice of the Valley. Condolences can be sent to www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com.