William " Bill "  Samuel Stratford, 73, of Hutchinson, Kansas, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on November 28, 2020 at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson, Kansas.  Born December 22, 1946, in Montague, Massachusetts, he was the son of Dennis Alfred and Jeannette Bond Wetherbe Stratford.  Bill spent the first years of his childhood in Montague where his parents owned an electrical/sundry store, living above the store.  One of Bill's memories is when a group of hornets found their way upstairs.  He enjoyed " playing" with them until he showed his Dad his new friends while he was stroking a hornets back.  His Dad quickly explained that hornets were not good playmates and got rid of them.  The family moved to Oakdale, Kentucky, where Bill enjoyed living on a farm raising and caring for chickens and pigs. He went to Oakdale Christian High School, the summer before Bill's senior year his family moved to Greenville, Illinois where he graduated from Bond County Unit #2 High School.

Bill served in the United States Army; SP5.  He was a medic in the DMZ in Korea during the Vietnam War.  He was serving in Korea when the USS Pueblo was captured and her crew were taken prisoners. After serving his country, Bill was Honorably Discharged, he returned to Greenville, Illinois where he worked at Greenville College in the Maintenance Department.  While working, he was able to take college classes and was considered a college junior.  He then choose to attend Industrial Arts School in Salina, Kansas and studied welding.

In 1972, Bill married the love of his life, Millie McCall in Salina, Kansas.   The newlyweds moved to Jackson, Kentucky.  From there the young couple moved to Greenville, Illinois where they were blessed with the birth of their two daughters.  Then their family moved to Hutchinson, Kansas where Bill spent his years working as a welder at Collins Industries and Kuhn Krause; retiring from Kuhn Krause.  He spent 27 years as a part-time delivery driver at Pizza Hut.  He began working at Pizza Hut to help the educational expenses of his family.  Then when asked why he continued  he said, " I love being the Pizza Hut man who brings pizza to a child's birthday party.  I feel like the younger Pizza Hut workers need me to be their sounding board as they face decisions they need to make."

A very devout Christian, Bill spent his life sharing the gospel of the Lord Jesus and living a " Jesus lifestyle".  He enjoyed singing in choirs during high school and his adult life whenever he had the opportunity.  He loved playing games and spent many hours and made many memories with family and friends playing games.  In fact, there is literally a closet full of games in the home.  Bill enjoyed telling " Dad" jokes and continued telling them to anyone who would listen.

Survivors include: wife, Millie, of the home;   2 daughters, Marie Gail ( Conja ) Stratford recently of Kansas City, Missouri, Joy ( Steven) Wright of Olathe, Kansas; 4 granddaughters, Desi Wright, Autumn Wright, Summer Wright, Ryleigh Wright; great granddaughter, Olivia Wright; sister, Kathy ( Gerry) Collett of Chrisman, Illinois.

Bill was preceded in death by: his parents, and sister, Lillian Hawkins.

Due to COVID 19 restrictions, the family implores everybody to follow COVID guidelines and wear a mask during Bill's celebration of life on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Homebuilders Building in Carey Park, Hutchinson, Kansas.