The family of US Navy Veteran, CPO Willard D. Stratton has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to honor their loved one at his services. We are honored to accept this invitation.
Willard D. Stratton passed away August 11, with family by his side. He was born on 15 February, 1922, in Chillicothe Ohio. He was the middle child of 7 children. Bill grew up on a farm south of Chillicothe. He left high school after the tenth grade to help support the family. Bill joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and helped construct the trails at the Old Mans Caverns in Ohio.
Bill joined the Navy in 1942 and was assigned as a Torpedo man to a PT boat in Squadron 16B. He served with the squadron from commissioning until their decommissioning at the end of WWII. He saw action in New Guinea and the Philippines. Squadron 16B received the Presidential Unit Citation for action in Mindoro.
After the war, Bill changed rates to become a Fire Control technician. He served on destroyers and destroyer escorts including the Johnston, Lind, Conway, Walton, and Evans. Onboard the USS Walton he was present for the Operation Red Wing nuclear tests at the Bikini Atoll. While his ship was in Seattle Washington, Bill met the love of his life Helen, and they were married in 1957. His first shore duty station was at China Lake in 1959, where he was assigned to Guided Missile Unit 25, testing the Terrier missile.
While driving into town for his first time he turned his wife Helen and said, “This is a hell of a place to send a sea going sailor.” Bill made Chief during his assignment to China Lake. The family also made many good friends. Bill enjoyed the hunting and fishing that was available nearby.
Bill spent 20 years in the Navy, retiring as a Chief Fire Control Technician (Missiles) in 1964. He worked in the shipyard at Puget Sound Washington and then at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, before finding his way back to China Lake in 1966. At China Lake Bill worked at Baker Range as a radar technician until moving to Echo range to help start up a new radar site. Bill retired from Federal Service in 1979.
In retirement Bill and Helen traveled the country to visit relatives and see the country. Later they enjoyed an occasional trip to Jean Nevada to play the slots.
Bill was preceded in death by his siblings, his daughter Vicky, and sons Michael and Rene. Bill is survived by his wife Helen, one month shy of their 60th anniversary. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Virginia Stratton, son Alan (Jerri) Stratton, Grandchildren Kevin (Christina) Stratton, Elisha Stratton, Kimberly (David) Underwood, Leslie (Phillip) Mellor, and six great grandchildren.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the American Legion in Ridgecrest to his final resting place. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
Time Table for Tuesday 22 Aug 2017:
0645: Stage @ American Legion Post, 641 W Inyokern Rd, Ridgecrest, CA 93555
https://goo.gl/maps/vEeFSmNrdBw0715: Mission brief
0745: Flag line for arrival of Hero
0800: Depart to Bakersfield National Cemetery 30338 E. Bear Mountain Blvd, Arvin, CA 93203
https://goo.gl/maps/kKmX10945: Arrive @ Bakersfield National Cemetery
1045: Interment and full military honors
R/C Greg “Drifty” Vincent
SOCAL PGR Ride CaptainSliick333@msn.com
1-760-371-5467
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
