William C. Strait Sr.

William Strait Sr, 94, of Vernon, CT, loving husband for 65 years to his beautiful Faith, went to be with her on January 10, 2025. He was in St. Francis Hospital with an extended illness. He was born on June 22, 1930 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He and his beautiful Faith were married on February 23, 1952 at the Manchester Church of the Nazarene. They raised and are survived by three children, daughters Nancy Paitaris (Tony), and Linda Strait of Vernon, CT, as well as William Strait Jr (Susan) of Bloomfield, CT; 5 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Samuel Strait (Fran) of Tolland, CT. William is predeceased by his brother, Arthur Strait.
He grew up in Poquonock, CT, starting his employment early as a paper boy and picking tobacco in tobacco fields of Windsor, CT. Shortly after marrying in 1952, William became an apprentice meat cutter which led to a life long career as an expert butcher. When he was accepted into the apprentice program, William was so excited that he rushed home to tell his new bride our money problems are over honey; we are going to be rich! He worked in various supermarkets, including First National, Stop and Shop, Union Meat, and Shaws among many others too many to mention. William finally stopped working when he was 78 years old at the Food Lion while he was living in North Carolina.
Bill served honarably in the army 82nd airborne division from 1948 to 1951. He was very proud of his military service. He enlisted and was first assigned to the 505th infantry regiment Fort Bragg , NC and upon his request transferred to 456th parachute field artillery division. He also very proud of his glider badge for his course of instruction in gliders. Bill kept his connection with the military by becoming a member of the Greater Hartford Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association where attended monthly meetings and was an active member until his passing participating in among other things marching in parades ,funeral honor guard and chapter historian.
Bill started martial arts training in 1950 while in the service and began studying from Master Paul Arel in CT in 1970. With his brother Sam, Bill earned his black belt in 1973 in Kokondo Karate, and together they ran a dojo in Tolland, CT in the late 1970's. Bill returned to Karate in 2001 and earned a second-degree black belt in 2006 at an international seminar in Seattle. He ran a self-defense class for seniors in Rolling Hills for several years. In 2009, Bill joined the International Seirenkai Organization and taught Seirenkai Karate to seniors in Elkin, NC. Bill trained under Sensei Scott Cohen and tested successfully for his third-degree black belt in 2010 at Brandeis University, where he was also recognized as the Seirenkai Member of the Year. Bill continued his personal training throughout his last decade.
Calling hours will be held at Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main Street, Manchester, CT on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. A funeral service will commence at 11:30 AM at the funeral home, followed by Military Honors and burial at East Cemetery, 220 E. Center Street, Manchester, CT. To leave on-line condolences, please visit: www.holmeswatkins.com