Rev. William 'Bill" Stratman

Funeral services for Reverend William Warner “Bill” Stratman, 64, will be held at 10a.m. on, Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Torrington, Wyo with Reverend Dr. Ron Garwood, Reverend Tim Schnare, and Reverend Scott Firminhac officiating. Burial will follow in the Valley View Cemetery. Bill died, after a courageous battle with cancer, on January 21, 2016 in the Special Touch at Torrington Community Hospital with his family by his side. Memorials may be directed to either Our Savior Lutheran Church in Torrington or Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cody, WY . Bill was born on March 6, 1951 in Scottsbluff, NE the son of W.W. “Buck” and Velma (Williams) Stratman. Bill grew up and received his education at Lingle, Wyo; graduating in 1969. Bill then worked as a farm hand and implement mechanic in the Goshen County area. He married Kathy Lacy Prucha on July 19, 1972 in Lingle, Wyo and the couple had three children. The family moved to Cody, Wyo where Bill fulfilled his ranch dream and worked as ranch foreman on the South Fork at the Flying H. In January 1986 his wife, Kathy, was tragically killed. Bill worked to get his life up-right again and in July of 1988 he married Joan Evans and to this union a son was born. It was at this time that Bill found his calling in the religious life and entered the Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana where he graduated on May 30, 2000 and was ordained on June 25, 2000 at St. John’s in Rushmore, Minnesota. He then served as Pastor in various Lutheran Churches including Minnesota, Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming. Bill never lost his love for ranching and over-the-road long haul semi trucking to Alaska; but in September 2014 he was diagnosed with AML (acute myeloid leukemia) and life took on yet another meaning and new journey. Bill loved the mountains, fishing, and hunting. He was a Big Game hunting guide in the Big Horn Mountains and he enjoyed camping trips with his family. Throughout his life, Bill continued to love ranching and pastoring. He especially loved his little dog, Phoebe, who was always by his side. Bill is survived by his wife, 2 sons, Terry (Stacy) Stratman ; and Samuel Stratman ; 2 daughters, Rebecca (Mark)Ellis and Darcie (Cody) Rosenthal ; 7 grandchildren, Hayden & Avery Stratman; Cord, Kelly & Cleve Ellis; and Katie & Gracie Mae Rosenthal; his mother, Velma Stratman ; sisters, Connie (Dick) Ziller and Charm (John) Friedlan ; & numerous nieces, nephews, & cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his father, his first wife, Kathy, & a son-in-law, Tuck Seeley.

Rev. William 'Bill" Stratman

March 6, 1951 - January 21, 2016