William Edward Strachan, also known as “Bill”, and “Eddie”, was born on 20 February 1939, in Shelbina, Missouri, the 2nd son of William Ellis and Clara Margaret Stachan entered eternal life on June 4, 2022 at his home in Plano, Texas.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Young Sook Chai Strachan of Plano, Texas; five children, Barbara Dawn Strachan Fritz of Woodland Park, Colorado, Karen Denise Strachan Pierce of Colorado Springs, Colorado, William Ernest Strachan of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, James Robert Strachan of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Christi Jean Strachan Fisher of Arvada, Colorado; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother, Gary Lynn Strachan of Harveill, Missouri; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other loving family and friends.
William was preceded in death by his parents and brother, James Howard “Pete” Strachan and Glenn Ellis “Ike” Strachan.
Eddie spent his childhood days in Hunnewell, Missouri, where he attended elementary school, and where he found his sense of love, and compassion, and from where he took his most cherish memories of friends in his young life.
Eddie spoke of and remembered fondly the 8th grade in Hunnewell, 1952 -1953, the kids who gave him his character, principles, and stands. They were the best of friends, Donald Ray Moore, Roger Sidney, Bob Smith, Donald Gulick, and Larry Peterson, and the ladies, Barbara Jo Landrum Mudd, Doris Elaine Murray Farrell, Melissa Moss and Sue Shuck. Including our teachers: Mrs. Whitecotton, who passed during the school, being replaced by Mrs. Ruth Jordan. Oh, what could have been.
Eddie attended high school at Ritenour Senior High School in Overland, Missouri and upon graduation attended the University of Missouri at Rolla, Missouri where he excelled.
He worked at Navco, Inc., Lambert Field, St. Louis, Missouri, where he met his first wife, Mary Ellen Eveland and with who he married on September 23, 1961 and to this union five children were born.
Eddie was drafted in the United States Army on February 21, 1962, a career culminating after 23 years, and retiring in January of 1985. He was known as “Bill” in the Army and ever since. During Bill’s military career he served in Korea, Okinawa, Vietnam, Japan, and many post in the United States. He served in South Vietnam from June 1969 until July 1970, with the 219th Military Intelligence Detachment, but attached to the 5th Special Forces Group at Bien Hoa, as “cannon fodder”. Bill served with distinction with the 5tth Special Forces “A” Team along the Cambodian and Laotian borders at the Tra Cu, Doc Hoa, and several other border sites and into the jungles along the borders and into Cambodia on many occasions, but the government denied any such activity, they were on their own. Bill retired from the United States Army at Fort Carson, Colorado (1985).
He was proud to be given the opportunity and honor to serve his country in the United States Military.
Bill met Young Sook Chai and they were married, and made their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado until February of 1985 when he went to work for Rockwell International, Richardson, Texas as a Senior Industrial Security Administrator. In March of 1987, Bill left Rockwell and went to work for Texas Instruments, Lewisville, Texas as Manager, Information Security. In March 1995, he was transferred to Texas Instruments, McKinney, Texas, ultimately retiring in October of 1997.
Bill enjoyed writing, under the name “Eddie” Strachan with several books self-published, and over 400 short stories of his life in Hunnewell, St. Louis, and the Army. He loved his rose garden, lush yard, computer, reading and the many hours he spent in and around Bob Woodruff Park, in Plano, Texas where he fed the various birds. Bill enjoyed his time alone on a park bench, visiting his memories, and recalling days long gone by, remembering what was and what possibly could have been no one knows, save one. He also enjoyed talking with the many college students who visited the park with what they thought were problems.
Bill spent every morning, save Sunday, at Poor Richards Café in Plano and later the Red Truck Café, where he met with friends to have coffee, and to discuss the affairs of the day, poke fun at the politicians, and share stories, long and short, of family, and life accomplishments, the first lair never had a change.
He was a member of the Pershing Rifles, a military fraternity, and the organizer and manager of the ROMEO’S, (Retired Old Men Eating Out). The 1st United Methodist Church of Plano, Plano, Texas and other professional legal and civil organizations.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 10, 2022 at First United Methodist Church, 3160 East Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, Texas 75074.
Bill’s ashes are to be spread in his beloved Colorado Mountain’s at his home site, near what the Strachan family calls, the Rock of Gibraltar, on land he owned, in God’s Country.