In Memoriam: Longtime Red Bank Resident, Fireman, Bill Stratz Jr., 91

Longtime Red Bank resident and fireman, William “Bill” A. Stratz Jr. passed away on June 22 in hospice from post-surgical complications. He was 91.

Bill graduated from high school in 1948 and joined the U.S. Air Force while he was still 17. He was stationed at Scott Air Force Base, IL, where he met and married Lucille Haas. They were married 59 years until her death in 2010.

After an honorable discharge from the Air Force, Bill took a Civil Service job at Fort Monmouth. He retired in 1986.

He and Lucille settled in Red Bank where their three children were born. He joined Red Bank Fire Department in 1961. He served in Relief Engine Company where he achieved the rank of captain. He was also member of the Fire Police, serving as secretary for many years. He volunteered for many extra department activities such as the monthly paper drive and annually placing Memorial Day Flags on the graves of Red Bank firemen who passed on.

Bill Stratz
Photo/family via John E. Day Funeral Home

“Bill enjoyed bowling on the Fireman’s league for 35 years. He coached Little League and was a scoutmaster. He took a special interest in the youngsters in his neighborhood throughout the 58 years he lived at his current address. He was thoroughly delighted to recently receive a group picture signed simply ‘love, the McLaren Street kids.’
… he is survived by many young people he and his wife lovingly enjoyed and “adopted” as family through the years … An honest, sincere, diligent man, Bill Stratz will be
missed by many.”
Loved ones of Bill Stratz in his obituary

Bill is survived by: daughter, Karen Stratz of Neptune; son, Thomas, and wife Karen Ewald Stratz, of Eatontown; the two sons of daughter Anne Stratz Schmidt and James Schmidt, both deceased; his older grandson, Joshua Schmidt, and wife Diana Rutledge Schmidt, of Howell; his younger grandson, Matthew Schmidt, and life partner Sophia Fong, of Middletown; three great-grandsons, Cody Schmidt, of Middletown, Daniel and Patrick Schmidt, of Howell; and nieces, nephews and their children in both Illinois and New Hampshire.