The Reverend W. G. Strickland, a retired member of the Florida Annual
Conference, died in Tampa, Florida, on April 16, 1963. He had made his
home in Tampa for about seventeen years and was active in the work of the
Seminole Heights Methodist Church, and taught a Church School class at
Highland Avenue Methodist Church for several years. He and Mrs. Strickland made many appreciative friends in this and surrounding areas. W. G. Strickland was born at Fort Green, Florida, on April 7, 1881. He
and his brother, T. M. Strickland, ran a mercantile and hardware business
under the name of "Strickland Brothers" for many years in Plant City,
Florida. He later moved to Bartow and ran a mercantile store there for
several years and served as a steward in the First Methodist Church. The
Reverend J. B. Culpepper ran a revival meeting there when Dr. W. A. Myres was pastor. W. G. Strickland responded to the call to preach, sold his
business and he and Mrs. Strickland moved to Palm Harbor where he
enrolled in old Sutherland College (Florida Southern). W. G. and Bessie
Strickland traveled to Palm Harbor via horse and surrey.
About December, 1910, W. G. Strickland went to Miakka to serve there.
He was ordained a Deacon in 1912 and an Elder in 1914. He served other
churches across the years in the Florida Annual Conference, about twenty- one charges in number in many areas of the State. He retired in 1947.
Surviving him is his wife, Mrs. W. G. Strickland (Bessie), Tampa, Florida.
Children and other survivors are as follows: three sons: J. W. Strickland,
Columbus, Georgia; W. G. Strickland, Jr., Bartow, Florida; Candler Strickland, Orlando, Florida; two daughters: Mrs. Dorothy Waters, Inverness,
Florida; Mrs. Mary Jordan, Tampa, Florida; ten grandchildren; seven great
grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service was held at Seminole Heights Methodist Church in
Tampa, on April 18, 1963, at 10: 00 A.M. The Reverend George L. Harper was in charge and he was assisted by Dr. J. Withers Blake and Dr. J. H.
Daniel. The graveside rite was conducted by Reverend Harper, assisted
by the Reverend Julius C. Byers, at Oaklawn Cemetery in Plant City,
Florida.
Mrs. Strickland will reside at 511 E. Paris Street, Tampa 4, Florida, among
the many friends that love her, and in the close proximity to the Seminole
Heights Methodist Church, which she dearly loves and serves so well;
and amid the friends who are grateful for another parsonage home in our fellowship.
W. G. Strickland blessed the Seminole Heights Methodist Church with his
constant presence in his retirement years. He was active in retirement.
He attended the Men's Bible Class, church services and prayer service. He was constantly in attendance at the Tampa Ministers' Association. He
possessed a sweet spirit, loved the people, his Lord and The Methodist
Church.
When Mrs. George Hayman played, as a portion of the funeral service in
the church, "How Firm A Foundation," the family and congregation were mindful of the family of God, to which family the believers belong through
the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Submitted by: GEORGE L. HARPER