Willard Leroy Strine Jr.

Willard Leroy Strine Jr. (Winky) of Capitol Heights, MD, suddenly and peacefully went home to be with the Lord August 2, 2015 while on vacation in New Orleans, LA. Beloved husband of Phyllis R. Strine for 53 years; devoted and loving father to Catherine Strine-Adams (Gerry), Carolyn Carson (Bill), Christine Buffington (John `Buff’), Connie Strine, Willard Strine III, Tricia Childers, Warren Strine Sr. (Sharon), Wade Strine Sr. (Abbey), Charlene Shaw (James), and Walter Strine (Mahlet). Beloved grandfather of Nathan, Evan, Ralph (Emily), Billy, Steven (Shelby), Paul (Tori), Joshua, Rebecca (Alex), Rachael (Tim), Johnny, Sarah, Corbin, Ethan, Warren Jr, Marcus, Dimitri , Phebe, Ella, Natalie, Wade Jr , Devin, Joseph, Ana, JJ , Isaac , Jazzy, and Nico. Beloved great-grandfather of Sarah, Lacey, Abigayle, and Brooke. Loving brother to Donna Edwards and her son Donald. He was also loved by many more family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Willard Leroy Strine Sr. and Anna Elizabeth Strine and grandsons Jonathan and Darien. Winky was born on October 13, 1940 at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C. to Willard and Anna Strine Sr. He was raised in Capitol Heights, Md. He was involved with the Boy’s Club from the early age of ten where he enhanced his basketball and baseball skills and decided that sports would be a large part of his life. He first attended Bladensburg High School where he made the varsity basketball team at the age of fifteen. He was mentioned in the Blade newspaper as the high scorer for multiple games. He went on to play varsity baseball for Suitland High School where he still holds the pitching record that he established in 1960. His pitching record was 10-0, with a team record of 17-2. In May 1959, Winky started his career at Giant Food where he worked in the produce department until his retirement in July 1997. He married the love of his life, Phyllis Rebecca Miller, on October 25, 1962. Together they raised their children and have always remained intimately involved in the lives of their grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition to time spent with family, Winky continued to be active in sports. He participated on bowling leagues for 57 years, played baseball, softball, and golf. In addition, he was an avid Redskins and Orioles fan and loved watching sports with his family. Winky will be best remembered for his story telling, joke telling, bird whistles and other funny sounds, and for being the life of every party. Though as funny as he was, he was also one of the most sensitive people one could meet. He genuinely cared about and loved everyone. He did whatever he could to make each person feel that he/she was the most important person in the world. The longer Winky lived, the closer his walk with Jesus became. Family was so important that he wanted to be secure in the fact that we would all be together again someday in the arms of God. He loved serving the Lord as a member of Unity Baptist Church, where he was a deacon, and saw his church family as an extension of his own. He transitioned to heaven on August 2, 2015 with his wife, Phyllis, his daughter, Catherine, and her family, and his beloved church family by his side. Winky always talked about how much he wanted us to be happy and laugh when we think of him. He even asked that his tombstone reflects his funny side by stating, “Here lies the shell; the nut has passed away.” In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions and donations may be made in the name of Deacon Willard Strine Jr. to Unity Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 6311, District Heights, MD 20790. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Willard Leroy Strine Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.