The family of William Anthony Straddeck has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to honor this United States Marine for 40 yrs of service and dedication to his Country. It will be our privilege to do so.
Bill served in the United States Marine Corps for "40 Yrs." Bill served from March 1954 to November 1994. Bills time was spent from 1954 to 1965 in the reserves, then on Dec 30, 1965 Bill went into active duty getting an Honorable Discharge on Nov 08, 1994 at the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. His specialty was Aviation Ordnance in the Corps. He had the distinction of being the oldest active duty Marine in the Corps at the time of his retirement. He served during Korea, Vietnam, the Saudi conflict and Somalia.
Bill's wife Dorothy Mae Straddeck was also a 20 year Navy Veteran who passed in 2011.
After Bill retired from the Marines he became active in just about every organization he could. In total he was in over 21 different organizations. Some examples of a few Bill belonged to was: VFW, Marine Corps Association, AM Vets, Marine Corp League, DAV, Paralyzed Veterans of America, The American Legion, NRA, Mission Viejo Elks Lodge 2444, USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association, USMC/Combat Helicopter Association. Bill gave money to literally over 100 charity funds yearly for all sorts of things, cancer research, toys for tots and many more.
In Bill's spare time he loved hosting parties for his military buds. His home was a party house, decorated in Marine Corps memorabilia and set up for all sorts of entertaining with a spa, pool table, and Bill was king of the BBQ. He loved traveling and scuba diving with his wife Dottie. He loved home improvement, and actually won Best Home at his military housing when in the Corps, and also won Best Home in his permanent home in Mission Viejo.
Bill and Dottie never had children yet he loved his animals, spoiling them rotten with treats and numerous walks and interaction. Bill loved to sit in front of his house and chat with passersby, a friendly and social neighbor. When Bill passed his block got a little darker, but Heaven got so much brighter.
Bill and Dorothy have no extended family, so a caring family that lived across the street became their extended family since 1997 and still live there today. So for 21 years, Diane & David Bottles have been their family.
Bill leaves behind his extended family of 21 years, Diane, David and their kids Benjamin and Georgia.
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 family home to his final resting place, approximately 3 miles. 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 Monday 24 Sept. 2018:0830 - Stage at Farmer Boys Restaurant, 23952 Avenida De La Carlota, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
https://goo.gl/maps/qZxEP1HTMFJ20900 - KSU to Hero's home
0915 - ETA to Hero's home and Flag Line for transfer of Hero to vehicle
0930 - KSU to El Toro Memorial Park, 25751 Trabuco Rd., Lake Forest, Ca. 92630
https://goo.gl/maps/qrM9eAdsYo120945 - ETA at Cemetery
1000 - Flag Line, Service and Military Honors
R/C Mike "Joker" Courtright
SoCal PGR - Ride Captainmokynanapo@sbcglobal.net
714-321-3356
"Standing for those who stood for us"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.
