William "Bubba" Edward Strickland

William “Bubba” Edward Strickland, Jr., 59, passed away on Thursday, April 13 surrounded by his loving family.  He was born on June 30, 1963, in Wilson, NC to William Edward and Harriet Gallup Strickland.  He was a 1981 graduate of Hunt High School where he played both football and baseball.  Bubba attended East Carolina University and Atlantic Christian College where he fell in love with golf.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 20 at 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church of Wilson, NC, with a visitation immediately following at First Baptist Church. 

After graduation he worked for Standard Commercial for several years and enjoyed the excitement and travel of the business, but he found his true calling in buying and selling cars.  Bubba was in the car business for over 30 years, 16 of which were spent at Medlin Buick.  He had a keen knowledge of the car business and was trusted by his colleagues and customers alike.

When not at work, Bubba could often be found at the golf course, usually Friday and Sundays, at the Wilson Country Club.  He had a swing like Fred Couples and was always in a good mood out on the course.  He handed down his love for the game to his son Will, whom he loved to play with especially in father/son golf outings.

In addition to golf, Bubba loved ECU football, UNC basketball, a wood fire (unless it was 80 degrees) and an ice-cold Heineken anytime!  He collected rare bourbons and liked wearing flamboyant socks.  He had an outgoing personality, a contagious smile, and was loved by everyone who knew him.  He will be deeply missed, and remembered as a great friend, co-worker, and golf buddy.  No one loved life more than Bubba.

Family meant the world to Bubba, and he was a devoted husband and proud father.  He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Laurie Adams Strickland; son, William Edward Strickland, III of Wilson; daughter, Harriet Anderson Strickland of Greenville; father, William E. Strickland, Sr. and Brenda of Wilson; sisters, Allison Pridgen of Goldsboro, and Suzanne Beaven of Atlanta, Georgia; nephews, Richard Pridgen and wife, Megan of Illinois, and Chase Beaven of Georgia; and niece, Alden Pridgen of Greensboro.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Harriet Gallup Strickland.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to establish the Bubba Strickland Memorial Scholarship Fund at Barton College, P.O. Box 5000, Wilson, NC  27893, or online at give.barton.edu or to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX  75284-0692.

Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.