William (Bill) Henry Strock, 77, of Alger passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020. He was born on June 1, 1943 in Ada, Minnesota to Henry William Strock and Viola Gladys (Smith) Strock of Borup, Minnesota. He was the youngest and only boy with four older sisters. He was raised on a farm where they grew corn, soybeans and raised pigs. He enlisted in the Navy in October 1961 and was stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, Washington.
Bill met Sharon Riggles of Sedro Woolley at A&W restaurant in Mount Vernon where she worked and they were married December 10, 1965. In October 1967 he received his honorable discharged after reserves and a mandatory extension due to the Vietnam War, Bill and Sharon moved to Minnesota in December and they welcomed their first daughter Kimberly Kay and in June 1970 they had their second daughter Kelly Jo. Bill’s parents sold the family farm in 1970 and Bill working as a diesel mechanic moved back to Mount Vernon, Washington where he was employed with Skagit Valley Trucking.
In 1973 they purchased the family home In Sedro Woolley and welcomed another daughter Katherine Ann in March 1976; they raised their daughters along with ponies, bunnies, kittens and cattle until they divorced in 1982.
Bill enjoyed fixing up his properties, camping and fishing at Baker Lake, target shooting, restoring cars, crabbing on Samish Island and summer trips to see out of state relatives.
Moving up in his career at Skagit Valley trucking to become shop manager, he was a very hard worker at work and at home with improvement projects.
In 1993 he became a grandpa to the first granddaughter with seven more girls to follow and he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. He loved all of his girls and granddaughters; he would push them in the swing for hours, play in the creek, sprinkler, and lots and lots of rides on the lawnmower.
Bill retired from Skagit Valley Trucking in 2004 and enjoyed restoring tractors and time with his four-legged friend BJ and after BJ passed away, He got a new puppy ”Trouble” named appropriately, he kept him on his toes and tried his patience, but they were inseparable until the end. A special thank you to Cherie Scott of Alger for all she did for Bill and adding Trouble to her family.
Bill is survived by his daughters, Kim Chadwick of Arlington, Kelly Beebe of Arlington, Katherine Edgeston of Mountlake Terrace; grandchildren, Maryssa, Hayley, Denisha, Brittney, Sierra, Olivia, Katelynn, Elizabeth; great grandchildren, Gabriella, Samara, Ezra.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Viola Strock; sisters, Dee, Roberta, Lois, Patricia.
Arrangements are under the care of Lemley Chapel of Sedro Woolley. Please share your memories of Bill and sign the online guest register.
We want to offer our most sincere sympathy for your loss. Bill was a client of ours for many, many years and we will all miss him. His distinctive voice was a quick giveaway when he called the office, always a joy 🙂
We have called his medical and prescription carriers and cancelled his policies. If there is anything we can do for your family please give us a call. 360-336-0914.
Sharon Hansen and the staff at Heritage Financial Group
So very sorry about Uncle Bill…thinking of you all. Lot of memories growing up and our families doing things together. Fun camping at Baker Lake, riding horses at your place and family dinners. I especially remember the year it snowed so much and he made a big track in the field for the ATV and we rode for hours and coming in to a crackling fire to get warm. Also swimming and I don’t remember if it was in a pool or a hot tub but he was very worried about our hair being all put up so it wouldn’t get stuck in the filter and drown us. He told us several times. I hope your good memories bring you some comfort and help you have some peace. With love, Chris
To my uncle Bill, you will be remembered and missed. He use to call me Brat, lovingly until mom passed away then he said he really didn’t think I was one but wanted to tease me. I remembered when He brought the whole family down to go to Disneyland with our family. He was driving a van and when he got out of it he had like 4 cigarettes hanging out of his mouth! Was so funny!!! Mom and Bill were very close, but perhaps now they can catch up on their marathon conversations.
To my cousins, I feel your loss, it hurts so much to lose our parents. Take each day as it comes.
p.s. Without sounding wacko, be open to some sort of visit, dreams or otherwise.
So sorry for your loss. It is hard to reconcile that they are all gone. I always enjoyed Uncle Bill when he came for a visit. As a family it is good that you have those great memories to share with each other to keep him alive in your hearts.
Kristi Schiele( Roberta’s daughter)
I love you grandpa I always did and still do I wish you was still Got to meet samara and ezra but ik you watching all of us and smiling but we will see you again. You never gone because you be with us in our hearts 💕 forever and always.
Oh Daddy,
Where have you gone
I wasn’t ready for you to pass on
My mind wonders of times that have passed
And a sad tear for the time that is now lost
I wonder aloud if you are ok
But then I feel you near me and it takes my breath away
You and I will be together again someday
Until them I will wipe the tears away
And keep a piece of you with me each and every day.
With big hugs and kisses
and nothing but wishes
to see you again and have some nice visits
I love you dad ♥️
Kelly