He is preceded in death by his parents, George R. and Frances Newton Strickland; his brother Richard; and his sister, Frances Mabrey.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Martha Sue Pate Strickland; son, George Edward Strickland and wife, Carol; daughter, Lea Elizabeth Strickland Lagunes and husband, Epifanio Lagunes all of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; grandchildren: Katherine Grace Strickland Gambrell and husband, Vaughn of Hoover, Alabama; William Joseph Strickland, II with wife Lauren and great-granddaughter, Grace Winter of Phoenix, Arizona; George Wesley Strickland and wife, Logan of Golden, Colorado; and Titus Eliazar Lagunes of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Bill Strickland, known by family as Daddy “B” and old friends as Billy Joe, strongly believed in the importance of family, the value of close friendships, and service to God, his community and his country. As such, he served in the Army as a Second Lieutenant, Medical Service Corps during the Korean Conflict. During his service he received the: Medical Badge, Korean Service Medal w/2 Bronze Service Stars, United States Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
His civic activities included: member and Past-President of the Kiwanis Club of Tuscaloosa beginning and continuing from 1964; member and Past-President (1958) of the Jaycees (Jr. Chamber of Commerce); selected as one of four Outstanding Young Men of Alabama by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1962; served on the Tuscaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission from Jan. 1969 to April 1984, Chairman 1979 to April 1984; member, Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama; board member, American Red Cross; Century member, Boy Scouts of America; board member, Boys and Girls Club; Board of Directors, First State Bank (now Cadence Bank); member, Commerce Executive Society, The University of Alabama; member, Alabama Alumni Association and Coach, Little League Baseball.
He was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church from its inception in 1949 and from its founding church Brandon Memorial. Along with teaching Sunday school, he served as chairman on the Church Council, the Board of Trustees, the Staff-Parish Committee and Finance committee. Billy Joe was a graduate of Tuscaloosa High School in 1946 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama in 1951.
During high school, Bill worked as a soda jerk at Rex Pharmacy in Tuscaloosa. While a student at the University of Alabama he worked as a Payroll Clerk at the Central Foundry Co. in Holt, Ala. In 1954, he joined Drake Printers as a salesman. Bill became owner and president of Drake Printers in 1973. Under Bill’s helm, Drake Printers became one of West Alabama’s most respected printing companies.
Bill was a life-long outdoorsmen beginning as a fishermen and deer-hunterthen, continuing by raising, training and hunting beagles and bird dogs, and chasing wild turkeys. He was a long-time committee member of the Tuscaloosa National Wild Turkey Federation. He was also a 40-year plus member of his beloved Swamp Club where good food, fellowship and tall tales created an everlasting bond.
Bill never met a stranger. He was well-known for his sense of humor, wisdom and knowledge. His strength of character and kind heart were a constant support to his beloved church and community.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons: William Strickland, Wesley Strickland and Titus Lagunes; along with Paul Roberts, Jon McLelland and Davy Ellis.
Honorary pallbearers are Sydney Frazier, Bill Cassels, Jack Pate, Glenn Pate, Clara and Lonnie Neely, Jim Jayne, the Kiwanis Club of Tuscaloosa, the Concord Sunday school class of Trinity United Methodist Church and all members of The Swamp Club.
Visitation will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Monday, January 28, 2019, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. followed by the service at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Penny Ford will preside over the service and graveside services will follow at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park.
The family wishes to give special thanks to Tamika Magee who has faithfully taken care of Daddy “B”. We also wish to thank all the caregivers that gave such special attention to his care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Arrangements handled by Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, a Dignity Memorial Provider.
Condolences may be offered at www.HeritageChapelTuscaloosa.com.
