William Franklin Strickland

William “Bill” Franklin Strickland Bill passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2016 at Pruitt Health/Union Pointe after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born in Cumberland County to the late Walter and Vera McMillan Strickland on April 6, 1936. Bill graduated from Central High School in Cumberland County and attended Fayetteville Technical College. He retired as a resident engineer with North Carolina Department of Transportation with 43 years of service. He worked on most of the major roads in North Carolina, including I-95, I-85, I-77, I-485 and many other highways. In retirement, he supervised the building of several houses, including Tent #10 at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Campground. He coached Babe Ruth baseball for many years and then coached church league softball. He loved watching the grandchildren participate in various sporting events. He was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church, where he served as church school superintendent, head usher, member of the choir, United Methodist Men president, and many other offices and committees. He had been a Mason for over fifty years and was Worthy Patron of Waxhaw Chapter #315 Order of the Eastern Star five different times. “Well done, good and faithful servant”. -Matthew 25:23 He is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Barbara Wilson Strickland; his daughter, Kristen S. Cooper and son-in-law, Dr. Payton Cooper of Chapin, SC; his son, William Strickland and daughter-in-law Karmen, of Waxhaw, NC. He has three grandchildren, Jordan and Jillian Strickland and Payton Cooper. He is survived by a brother, Bobby Strickland of Erwin, NC; and a sister, Patsy Stewart and brother-in-law, Wilbert Steward of Wade, NC; and sister-in-law, Mary Alice Wilson of Waxhaw, NC. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Thomas Walter Strickland and wife Pearlean; sister, Betty Lucas and her husband, Milton; and brother-in-law, John Thomas Wilson. Receiving of friends and family will be Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Avenue, Monroe, NC. The funeral will be Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 3:00 PM in Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 5300 Nesbit Road, Waxhaw, NC 28173. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Bethlehem United Methodist Church Land Fund at the address above. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com.