In the summer of 1929, on July 14, William Strathern became the first born of Irish immigrants, William and Mary Strathern of Cleveland Ohio. He was followed by six siblings, spending his first 18 years growing up in the culturally diverse neighborhoods of Cleveland and Euclid, Ohio.
A long, productive, diverse and interesting life would be the adjectives used to describe his 95 years. He has been a resident of Paris since 1993. He loved living here and enjoyed the projects that captured his attention.
Bill began his adult life in the United States Air Force where he learned and taught electronics. This experience laid the groundwork for a challenging career that took him around the world. He started with Collins Radio Company, which became Rockwell International, and worked on many communication satellite and space programs including the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Space Shuttle. After retiring as an executive, he continued to offer this expertise as a consultant for another 20 years by helping the company win many new programs.
He was greeted in the afterlife by his parents, his beloved wife Delores Marie, a brother and a grandson. It has been said the stories of our life are alive as long as those who remember us can tell them. Bill’s stories will continue to be told and retold as those in his family gather, including his three daughters and sons-in-law, eight grandchildren and their spouses, fifteen great grandchildren, four siblings, and a multitude of nieces and nephews. He left an imprint on business associates, friends, acquaintances and his adopted community, who will have many stories to share with his family and among themselves.
Bill’s family thanks those who cared for him and became like family…Francis, Linda, Sonja, Becky and Brandalynn. They helped Bill maintain a dynamic quality of life with breakfasts at Braum’s, gatherings with friends at Paris Coffee and drives around the county, especially to Red River County to watch the building of one of his favorite projects, Clarksville General Hospital. He received excellent medical care from those at Platinum Hospice, especially Rachel Wood.
Bill thought life should be celebrated so in the tradition of the Irish, we will hold a wake with refreshments, stories of his life, and laughter. Please come and share the extraordinary life of this man with his family and friends. This celebration will be held on Thursday, February 13th at Heritage Hall, 971 W Kaufman St, Paris TX from 5:00pm -10:00pm.
The mass of Christian burial in the Catholic tradition will be at Our Lady of Victory, 3300 Clarksville St, Paris TX at 11:00 am on Friday, February 14th followed by internment at Evergreen Cemetery next to his wife, Del, of 47 years. Should you choose, you may donate in his name to The Sisters of Notre Dame, 13000 Auburn Rd Chardon, Ohio 44024. This is a Catholic congregation of women including his sister, Sister Mary Jean, which focuses on education, hospital, ministry, and work with immigrants and refugees.
“Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well.” (an excerpt from “Death is Nothing at All” by Henry Scott Holland)
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com
