Billy Dewayne "Pops" Strickland, 73, passed peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, November 15, 2020 in Enterprise, AL after a valiant battle with Dementia.

Billy was born in Florala, AL on January 24, 1947 to parents William Strickland and Doris Newberry Strickland.  He married his high school love, Elizabeth Ree Strickland on August 20, 1966 where they then proceeded to raise a family.  Billy was a devoted family man and father to Jon Todd Strickland (son) and Karen Elizabeth 'Beth' Strickland (daughter).  He was "Pops" to two grandsons, Finnegan Cade Strickland and Ryder Liam Strickland.

Billy was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force where he enlisted at the age of 17 and was a medic while serving his country.  He also worked as a nurse at Edge Memorial Hospital in Troy while working toward his Sociology/Psychology degree from Troy University, Troy, AL and graduated Sigma Cum Laude.  He then went on to work in civil service at Fort Rucker Army base as an Information Systems Management Supervisor for 30+ years before retiring at age 57.

Billy, as expressed by all who knew him, was always one of the smartest men in the room.  He was an extremely innovative and hard worker at Fort Rucker and was admired and respected by all with whom he collaborated.  He enjoyed reading, all kinds of puzzles, western movies and TV shows, playing games with his family, and teaching anything to his children and grandchildren in efforts to expand their knowledge of the world.  He was a voracious lifelong student, always learning new subjects including physics, mathematics, and philosophy, even into his later years.  He had an amazing sharp wit and sense of humor which his family always embraced.  He was most importantly a very loving husband, father, and grandfather; devoted to his wife and children in all aspects of their lives.  He will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched.

He is survived by his wife, Ree Strickland; children Todd Strickland (Sharon Strickland) and Beth Strickland (Josh Brown); grandsons, Finn and Ryder Strickland; stepmother Louise Newberry Strickland; brother, Mark Strickland (Kaye Strickland); sister, Teena Byrd (Jeff Byrd); sister Shelia Anderson (Todd Anderson); brother Jim Strickland (Laura Strickland); and several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.  Preceded in death are parents William and Doris Newberry Strickland and brother Jerry Strickland.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Evans Funeral Home, 1972 6 ^th Street, Florala, AL 36442, at 2:00 PM.  There will be a 1-hour visitation with family prior to the services, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.

Please join us in remembering Billy DeWayne Strickland by visiting our Memorial at evansfuneralhomeal.com. Through this site we invite you to share your thoughts and fond memories with our family.