Obituary of Bill Strickland

R.W. Strickland (Bill) passed away peacefully in Jerome, Idaho on May 10, 2021 after a lifelong battle with Crohns disease. “Bill” as his family and friends knew him was raised and enjoyed life in the Magic and Treasure Valley. Following High School he joined the U.S. Army and served in the 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper and cook. Returning home from the military he met the love of his life, Sharon Primm. They were soon married and a year later welcomed their first child with a second to follow five years later. Quickly learning the words “yes dear” provided for 54 fun-filled years of marriage with Sharon. Along the way their two daughters married and the family expanded bringing son-in-law’s, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren that Bill was extremely proud of. Over the years, Bill worked multiple jobs from driving milk tankers, to working at Meadow Gold Dairy and Grover’s Pay n Pack, finally landing at Idaho Power where he spent 29 years before retiring as a dispatcher. Given the customers and various areas around Idaho that Bill’s work took him, he didn’t know a stranger. His family teased, even in the middle of nowhere Bill would cross paths with someone he had met before and enjoyed chatting it up. Bill enjoyed the great outdoors, spending time hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles and camping with family and friends. He always found a way to get the family out to explore the outdoors, even going so far as to restore a boat which he used to teach his daughters and their friends how to waterski. Bill is survived by his wife Sharon, two daughters Lori (Chad Gilbertson) and Dawn (Don Scarrow) and six grandchildren: Kylie & Reagan White, Austin LeBaron, Garrett & Cooper Scarrow, Marquie Gilbertson and two great grandchildren as well as his sister Penny Owens. The family wishes to give a special thank you to the neighbors, friends and many care providers: Dr. Satterfield & Jessica, Terri & Julie and everyone at DeSano Lodge and the EnCompass Team, all who went above and beyond to not only make dad comfortable but feel like family, not just a patient.