Bill Strickland

William C. (Bill) Strickland, 79, passed away on December 29, 2024. Bill was a native of Oconee County, and a graduate of Athens High. Bill was drafted and served in Special Forces during the Vietnam war, where he was awarded a Bronze Medal for Heroism. Upon his return to Athens, he worked for the Clarke County Sheriff’s office, before he transferred to the newly formed Clarke County Police Department. He remained with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department for 23 years. While with Clarke County he served in the traffic division, and later moved to the patrol division, where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant, becoming the youngest lieutenant to serve at the time.

Bill excelled in pursuit driving, holding the speed record at the Road Atlanta training facility. He raced dirt tract and drag racers in his spare time. Additionally, he was an expert marksman.

After retiring from Athens-Clarke County PD, he served as Captain, Chief Deputy, with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, under Sherrif Clayton Lowe, retiring there in 2006.

At the time of his retirement, Bill had served his community an impressive total of 40 years in law enforcement.

Bill was an avid horseman and owned and operated Strickland Farms and Stables for over 30 years, where he trained horses, taught riding lessons, and hosted equestrian events.

Bill was truly a cowboy at heart, and was affectionately referred to as Wild Bill, by his friends.

Bill was loved by all who knew him. He possessed genuine warmth and concern for others. He served his community with pride, being known as a tough but fair law enforcement officer.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine, whom he met in 1980, and his children and grandchildren, all of whom he loved with his whole heart, as well as, all of his brothers and sisters in blue.

The Athens-Clarke County Honor Guard will escort Bill from the main police precinct on Lexington Rd, to Lord and Stephens West Chapel for his memorial service on Saturday, January 18. The procession will leave the police department at approximately 12 noon. Anyone interested in joining the honor procession is encouraged to do so and is requested to meet at the Clarke County Tag Office parking lot adjacent to the police department at 1145 a.m.

Visitation will follow the procession with the memorial service beginning at 2 p.m. and Lord and Stephens West Chapel.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com