Bill C. Strait (85) passed away June 30, 2022, in his home surrounded by his devoted family after a hard fought battle with Parkinson's Disease and other chronic illness. He follows the love of his life and wife of 61 years whom he lost in 2019.

Bill was born at home in Point Pleasant, West Virginia to the late Alvie O. Strait and Rose Ann (Robinson) Strait, one of 7 children. After attending Gallia Academy High School in Gallipolis, Ohio, Bill enlisted in the United States Army following the footsteps of some of his brothers. It was with the Army that the young high school football star served in Korea during the tail end of that war and earned himself a Purple Heart Medal among other distinctions. Upon return to the states, he joked he was "issued" a new rifle and a bride; the latter being his future wife - fellow service member and East Boston native Patricia A. Thorne. After falling in love at first sight and a whirlwind romance, the two were married in Fort Monroe, Virginia on Feb 8, 1958.

Following their marriage and end of his tour, Billy Clay re-enlisted with the Army. He was sent to California for training In the Military Police program before shipping off again to Germany this time. Patricia moved home with family upon her own discharge and upon becoming pregnant with their only child, Leann R. Strait, who was born June 13, 1959. Just months later Patricia would travel to Germany with their young baby to be with him. Bill finished his service in 1961 and moved his family to East Boston to be near his in-laws where he soon began working with the Greene Rubber Company, and they took to fostering children in need. In 1971, they bought their forever home In Hanson, MA where they both lived until their last breaths.

On top of his growing responsibilities at Greene Rubber, Bill attended Fisher Junior College in Boston earning himself an Associates degree in Business in 1976. Then in 1983, he began his next journey by enrolling in the police academy in addition to working his fulltime job and its daily commute. Bill was very proud to serve as an Auxiliary Police Officer in Hanson from 1984-2002. On the force, Bill received a special commendation for his help solving a homicide in 1988 and even reached the position of Captain of the Auxiliary force for a time. Bill enjoyed the order and justice that came with his role on the force, but more than anything he cherished being able to help and protect those in need. He also really enjoyed the process of training young officers to be men with integrity, compassion, and discipline.

Bill and Patricia were very active in the community. Whether it be helping out at political events, as a Mason, or at his daughter and grandkids' schools, Bill embodied the title of good neighbor. He devoted a number of years on the Hanson Recreation Committee and others; in particular for Camp Kiwanee he advocated for specialty vehicles to get around, generators, and energy/water saving toilets. He also considered it to be an honor to place flags on the graves of the local soldiers buried in Hanson on the holidays. After his wife's retirement, he then applied to become Chairman of the Board of Registrars. He took this job very seriously as part of the democratic process he spent his life defending, and he thoroughly enjoyed all the people he met and developed friendships with through the years.

Besides his truest love Pat and his parents, Bill joins his sister Clara May (Strait) Deroch and brother Owen Strait in eternal rest; along with his beloved Thorne in-laws whom he adored. He is survived by his siblings Robert Louis Strait, Otho Lee Strait, Wilbur Strait, and Erma Ann all in Ohio with many nieces, nephews, and cousins in both Ohio and West Virginia. He is also survived by his loving daughter Leann Strait and her partner Kent Grimsley of Weymouth; his adoring granddaughters Kirstyn Strait-McGrath and her partner Kevin Hallahan of Freetown, and Patricia Strait-McGrath and her partner Kevin Gates of Hanson; as well as his grandson Jason Brown of California; and also, some of their very special close friends he "adopted" along the way. He is fortunate to be leaving behind many great-grandchildren but will be especially missed by Gavin, Ethan, Kevie, Aine, Nori, and Rylee. He also leaves behind a sister-inlaw Gayle Thorne, her sons Scott and Grant and their families in Kansas and Missouri; his wife's cousins on the north shore; and many friends and colleagues he made along the way.

A service will be held Sunday, July 10th , 2022, from 2pm to 6pm at the Leighton-MacKinnon Funeral Home at 4 West Washington St. Hanson MA 02341. There will be a tribute by the family and military honors beginning at 5:15pm.

In lieu or addition to flowers, the family asks that you would consider donating to one of these charities in his honor to help find the cure, treatment, and hope to battle this tragic disease: The Parkinson's Foundation https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/Donation2?10243.donation=form1&df_id=10243&mfc_pref=T The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research https://www.michaeljfox.org/donate