Cecil B. Strahan

Cecil B. Strahan August 24, 1925 - February 12, 2011 Cecil B. "Barney" Strahan, 85, of Waco, passed away Saturday, February 12, 2011, at a local hospital. A service celebrating his life will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 16, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 15, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Barney was born August 24, 1925, to Orville and Eva Strahan of Lacy-Lakeview, TX. As a young man, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. In 1946, on personal leave, he came home to visit his family, and Barney's sister, Ruth, arranged for him to meet her best friend. He caught a glimpse of Miss Margie Bilton sitting in the back of a convertible, and it was love at first sight. Barney and Margie were married June 20, 1946. They were blessed with four wonderful children. After he fulfilled his commitment with the Coast Guard, he was employed by Hammond's Laundry Machinery in Waco, and eventually began to work for Ray Byford at Byford Machine and Tool. Barney continued to work for Byford's until he purchased the business. In 1986, he sold Byford Machine and Tool and retired at Lake Whitney. Barney loved spending time with his family and close friends. He freshwater and saltwater fished, and hunted for 40 years at his deer lease in Llano. He also enjoyed traveling to Bossier City to gamble with his sister, Mary Ann. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 57 years, Margie; his parents; his brothers, Buddy, Billy and Bobby Strahan; and a sister, Ruth Smiley. He is survived his son, Alan Strahan and wife, Peggy, of Lorena; daughters, Gail Hargrove of Waco, Bobbie Simons and husband, David, of Valley Mills, and Denise Strahan-Gateley of Woodway; his brother, Donald Strahan of Grapevine; sister, Mary Ann Van Zandt of Lorena; eight grandchildren, Misti Simons-Stevener, Eric Strahan, Steven Simons, Hollie Simons, Marshall Gateley, Derrick Gateley, Al Flaherty and Patricia Tucker; ten great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild. Pallbearers are Eric Strahan, Steven Simons, Marshall Gateley, Al Flaherty, Bobby Ray Musick and John Snapp. Honorary pallbearer is Derrick Gateley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 1700 Lake Success, Waco TX 76710, or to the American Heart Association. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.