William R. Strange

William “Bill” Ronald Strange, of Fayetteville, NC, went to be with the Lord on Easter morning April 5, 2026, surrounded by family.

Born on May 10, 1934 in Wewahitchka, FL to Alfred “Pick” and Mable Beatrice “Bea” Strange, Bill joined the Army in 1953 and served in the 82nd Airborne 325th Infantry Regiment through 1956. While stationed at Ft. Bragg, he met the love of his life, Joyce Marie Wood, at a dance in Harnett County. They married in Alamogordo, NM in 1957 where he worked as a missile spares coordinator at Bells Aircraft Corp. He moved on to an award-winning career with Life of Georgia Insurance Co. (& later with American General Insurance), where he forged countless relationships that would last a lifetime.

He was a top-tier athlete, excelling in basketball, baseball, volleyball and bowling, and was a highly competitive golfer into his 80s. Bill loved journaling, singing, fishing, RV camping, and spending time with his close family and friends, especially around the holidays. He lived life to the fullest and never complained.

Most important to him, he was a loving follower of Jesus Christ, and continued in prayer and praise for as long as he was able to speak, sharing the gospel with nurses, doctors, and praying with his great-grandchildren even while on hospice care.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Joyce; his mother and father; and brothers, Tommy Strange, Charlie Strange, and Alfred “Junior” Strange.

He is survived by his sister, Beverly Pitts (Herman); children, Gary M. Strange and Rhonda Fokes (James); grandchildren, William Wurst (Kristin), Sarah Kirkland (Dave), Kiersten and Michael Strange; great-grandchildren, Brennia Waters, Jacob Kirkland, Liam Wurst, Cassidy Collister, and Jac and Cooper Chesson; and countless nieces and nephews. The family thanks Pam Nunnery, a special niece who helped care for Bill.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Joyce Marie Strange Cancer Research Foundation https://jmscancerresearchfoundation.org/