William A. Stratz Jr., 91, passed away June 22 in hospice from post-surgical complications. He was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania on Oct. 29, 1930 to Willian A Stratz Sr. and Hedwig Konrath Stratz (both deceased). His younger brother James Stratz is also deceased.
Bill graduated in 1948 and joined the Air Force while he was still 17. He was stationed at Scott Air Force Base,
Illinois, where he met and married Lucille Haas Stratz. They were married 59 years until her death in 2010.
After an honorable discharge, Bill took a civil service job at Fort Monmouth. He retired in 1986. He and Lucille settled in Red Bank where their three children were born. He joined Red Bank Fire Department in 1961. He served in Relief Engine Company where he achieved the rank of captain. He was also member of the Fire Police, serving as secretary for many years. He volunteered for many extra department activities such as the monthly paper drive and annually placing Memorial Day flags on the graves of Red Bank firemen who passed on.
Bill enjoyed bowling on the Fireman’s league for 35 years. He coached Little League and was a Scoutmaster. He took a special interest in the youngsters in his neighborhood throughout the 58 years he lived at his current address. He was thoroughly delighted to recently receive a group picture signed simply “love, the McLaren Street kids.”
Bill is survived by daughter Karen Stratz of Neptune, son Thomas, married to Karen Ewald Stratz, of Eatontown, and the two sons of daughter Anne Stratz Schmidt and James Schmidt, both deceased. His older grandson Joshua Schmidt and his wife Diana Rutledge Schmidt reside in Howell. His younger grandson Matthew Schmidt and life partner Sophia Fong reside in Middletown. Bill has three great-grandsons, Cody Schmidt of Middletown, Daniel Schmidt and Patrick Schmidt, both of Howell.
In addition to nieces, nephews and their children in both Illinois and New Hampshire, he is survived by many young people he and his wife lovingly enjoyed and “adopted” as family through the years.
An honest, sincere, diligent man, Bill Stratz will be missed by many.
Visitation was Friday June 24 at John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank.
Service was Saturday June 25 at John E. Day Funeral Home. Burial followed at Woodbine Cemetery & Mausoleum, Oceanport.
The article originally appeared in the June 30 – July 6, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
