STRICKLER, WILLIAM J., age 77, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Sunday, February 18, 2018, at Isabella County Medical Care Facility in Mt. Pleasant.

A Memorial Service for Bill will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Thursday, February 22, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Stephen Shugert officiating. A Celebration of Life Luncheon will immediately follow at the Comfort Inn. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 21, from 4 to 6 p.m. Visitation will continue the day of the service from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the William J. Strickler Clarke Historical Library Fund or the William and Janet Maar Strickler Community Impact Fund through the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.

Bill was born on September 3, 1940, in Allegan, the son of William H. and June (Doherty) Strickler. He married Janet Maar on May 10, 1997. Bill graduated from Central Michigan University followed by a Master's degree from the University of Montana. He also received an Honorary Ph.D from Central Michigan University. Bill followed his father into the oil and gas industry, where he had a major impact for over 50 years. He served as president of Michiwest Energy and Strickler Resources. He was a board member of the Michigan Oil and Gas Association for many years. Bill was very active in the Mt. Pleasant community, serving on the board of directors for Isabella Bank, including chairman for a term, and on the board of directors for the Clarke Historical Library at Central Michigan University for approximately 25 years. Both Bill and Jan were selected as Citizens of the Year in 2014 by the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce.

Bill is survived by his wife, Janet Strickler; children, Kerry Strickler of Traverse City, Katherine Strickler of Moscow, ID, William D. Strickler of Mt. Pleasant, Lee (Travis Sagrillo) Strickler of Boulder, CO, James Nietzke of Mt. Pleasant, and Joneil (William) Cook of Mt. Pleasant; grandchildren, Wyatt, Taylor, and Austin Cook, and Giavanna Sagrillo; mother-in-law, Eva Martin; and former wife, Carole Strickler.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Markey Roberts; and brother-in-law, Gilbert Roberts.