William T. Strudwick

With an insatiable zest for life, William Strudwick, Jr. made an enormous impact on the world around him. He was a man dedicated to his work, but completely devoted to caring for his family above all else. Bill was a gifted craftsman who could breathe new life into simple pieces of wood, each creation a masterpiece fashioned as an outpouring of a heart as limitless as the ocean waters. He was a lover of life whose heart soared as the wind caught in the sails of his boat or as the open road beckoned his name. Bill passed on so much more than his love for crafting things to his sons, but he also passed on his strength of character, his spirit of generosity, and his unmatched integrity. It is through the generations he leaves behind that the legacy of Bill will live on. It was during the year after WWI had ended that William and Elsie Strudwick, Sr. welcomed the birth of their son, William, Jr. on December 21, 1919. Bill was born in Muskegon, Michigan, joining two older sisters in his family. His family initially lived in the Bluffton area, but moved to the Lakeside area where their home had no bathroom, so the children were bathed in a washtub. It was during his formative years that Bills love for the water was born as his family took the streetcar to Lake Michigan. His father later purchased a 24-foot motor launch from the Navy, which they named the Canvasback. This is where the Strudwick family spent most of their free time and made precious memories as well. Bills father also taught him about sailing during his younger years. Bills family moved to Fruitport in 1926 and lived in an old farmhouse on 21 acres of land filled with fruits of all kinds. Bill attended local schools and was one of the few young people of this generation who were able to go on to high school. After graduating from high school, Bill enlisted with the Army Air Corps. He went to armament training in Colorado where he learned the ins and outs of maintaining aircraft weapons. Bill loaned his car to an Air Force buddy of his to take back to Muskegon, but on the trip back, the car broke down in Iowa. Luckily Bill had a friend in Iowa who helped him retrieve his car. It was while he was spending a few days in Iowa that Bill met Larrys girlfriend, Donnabelle Throne. Immediately smitten, the couple soon fell in love and was married on May 14, 1944. The newlyweds settled into a two-bedroom apartment in Colorado. Soon after they married, Bill and Donna retuned to Michigan where Donna met Bills family. After their visit, the couple returned to Colorado where Bill resumed his time in the service, which consisted of a variety of jobs. Soon after they became husband and wife, the couple became mother and father with the birth of their son, William Courtney. With the end of the war about a year later, Bill was a free man! Although the family of three had plans to move to California, Donna became pregnant with their second child. Bill moved to California to find work while Donna and William moved in with her parents. Bill found employment in the engineering department at The Food Machinery Corporation. He was lonely by himself, but was overjoyed when he received a telegram from Donna informing him of the birth their second son whom she named Richard. That very night, Bill decided that their time of separation was over, and he quit his job and moved to be with his family. Their family stayed with Donnas family until Dick was one month old. The Strudwick family decided that Michigan was the place to be, and although they had a few mishaps along their journey they fell in love with their new hometown Muskegon. The family loved playing in the woods and along the beaches there. Bill initially worked in the engineering department for Shaw-Walker, but soon began working for Manufacturing Design in 1949. Soon, tough economic times hit and Bill found himself out of a job. Although there wasnt much money during that time, the family enjoyed one of their most memorable summers. They fished, had picnics, and just spent time together. Eventually Bill found steady employment at Steel Fabricating Company while Donna found a teaching job. The family moved into a home on Beidler Street, which was so close to Bills office he was able to come home to check on the boys during lunch. Life was really all about family in the Strudwick home. Donna took some night classes which left Bill in charge of dinner for the boys. When dad was in charge dinners of macaroni and cheese, burgers, and hot dogs became staples! The family purchased a lot on Estes Street, and Bill went to work not only drawing their house plans, but building their house as well. Their new home was completed on January 2, 1956. A bit later Dick convinced his parents that they needed a sailboat. Not long after that their family was making treasured memories aboard their 26-foot Capri named Cygnet. After they retired in 1980, Bill and Donna purchased a Volkswagen camper and traveled extensively throughout much of the United States and Canada. After they traveled many miles in their camper, they purchased a larger trailer that they used to explore even more new and exciting places. Then in 1988 they purchased a 26-foot Yellowstone and traveled to many national parks. Bill and Donna also traveled throughout the world to places such as England, Scotland, the Scandinavian countries, and the Republic of China as well. There were many things that made Bill such an extraordinary man. He was a man of faith who was a member of Central United Methodist Church and Chairman of Trustees. Bill was a skilled craftsman who used his gifts to share with others. Bill only needed to hear a description of an item in order to draw the plan and then complete the project. He made countless beautiful items such as doll houses, desks, and toys, but nothing was more precious than the clocks he made and gave to family members. Regardless of where life took him, William T. Strudwick, Jr. was a man who embraced each moment he was given. He was a true family man whose life is a reflection of what a husband, father, and grandfather is meant to be. Bill was blessed to share more than 65 years with the love of his life with whom he created a family that was his greatest pride and joy. William T. Strudwick, Jr. died Monday, December 28, 2009. Bills family includes his wife, Donna; sons, Richard Strudwick of Muskegon, W. Courtney (Diana) Strudwick of OH; grandsons, Andrew (Deana) Strudwick, John Strudwick; great grandsons, Connor & Andrew; sisters, Virginia (Vivian) Shull of Holt; brother, Donald (Joanna) Strudwick TX;. He was preceded in death by sisters, Margaret (Elwin) Colburn & Donna (Hubert) Link. A service will be held on Thursday, January 7, 2010, 1:00 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church with Pastor Gary Bekofske officiating. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a favorite memory.