STRICKLAND, JR., Wylie Lee

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Posted: Wednesday, October 29, 2014 >>> Wylie Lee Strickland Jr. <<< >>> April 1, 1932 — Oct. 26, 2014 <<< Wylie Lee Strickland Jr. was born April 1, 1932 in Centrahoma, Okla. to Wylie Lee Strickland and Reba Mae Lovelis. As his father was a sharecropper and followed the harvests, the family moved numerous times during Wylie’s youth, to places such as Coolidge, Ariz., Blythe, Calif., Elmore City, Okla., Hemet, Calif., Bell Gardens, Calif. and Phoenix. His parents divorced when he was 10 and he and his brothers stayed with various other families. Wylie attended 11 schools through eighth grade. He attended Bell Gardens High School (BGHS) where he excelled in baseball, football and basketball. It was also the place he met his first wife, Wanda Lee Holleman. Wylie joined the United States Air Force after graduation in 1950. During his service, he and Wanda married in 1952 and eldest daughter Debra Susan was born while he was stationed at Sandia Air Force Base in New Mexico. After his military service, they returned to Bell Gardens, Calif. where daughter Karen Lee was born. Wylie and Wanda divorced in 1965. In January, 1969 he married Dolores Gibson and they were married for over 43 years until her passing in 2012. They were enthusiastic golfers and traveled throughout the country during their marriage. Wylie was preceded in death by both parents and brothers Billy and Troy. He is survived by his brother, James; his daughters, Debbie (Tom) and Kari (Fred); grandchildren, Andy (Natalie), Emily (Cody), Aaron (Lauren), Nathan (Jackie) and Lamar; seven great-grandchildren; and nephews and nieces. Wylie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2007 and although he progressed through its stages, there were always times when one of Wylie’s one-liners would provide a pleasant surprise and reminder of the man he once was, a vibrant, loving and funny man who was loved by many and will be missed by them as well. Services will be at London Bridge Resort Convention Center Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to Wylie’s family at www.lietz- frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.