OXFORD – William Haviland Stratton of Oxford, born Feb. 26, 1932, passed away on Sept. 23, 2012 surrounded by his loving wife Sharon and family. He was predeceased by his parents Albert and Stella Ruslow Stratton and son Charles Eric Stratton.
Bill graduated from Norwich High School in 1949. He was an Army Veteran of the Korean War and served with honor, earning a Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, Meritorious Unit Citation, and United Nations Service Medal. He was a dairy farmer until a farm accident in 1968. Bill then enrolled and graduated from Broome Community College in 1970. He transferred to the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations and graduated in 1972. In the summer of 1971 he worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority. For over 30 years he was a well respected Labor Relations Negotiator employed by school districts all over New York State. He founded Stratton Associates and created and published a labor relations magazine Periscope and the Missouri Index. He was also a labor relations consultant and negotiator for the Village of Endicott and the City of Ithaca.
Bill loved horses and after retirement he founded and operated Stratton Racing Stable with his daughter Catherine Stratton Hodge. He was a founding member of the VFW and the Lions Club of Oxford, and a member of the Rotary Club. He loved farming, sailing and was a dedicated and loyal family man. He had a strong belief in education and served on the Oxford Board of Education. He not only loved his family but would never turn away anyone in need, often opening up his home and heart to others. Bill had a way with words and he inspired others to have the courage to pursue their dreams.
He is survived by his wife Sharon; brother Albert (Jean) Stratton; sister Donna (Roy) Dixon; stepmother Dorothy Stratton. Children: Billie Jean (Richard) Hendrickson Stratton, Kathy Reed Stratton, Stella (Stephen) Ohl, Albert (Ewa) Stratton, Kris (Jodi) Marinos, Adam (Crystalynn) Marinos, John (Bobi) Marinos, Dina Marinos, Sarah Stratton, Catherine (Jesse) Hodge, Anna (Adam) Gardner; former wife Ruth Putman Stratton; grandchildren: Mathew, Derek, Katherine, Brandon, William, Eric and Zachary Stratton, Jessica Matucheski, William, Brian and Timothy Ohl, Clarissa D’Ambra, Charlotte and Carolyn Hendrickson, Cole Pierce, Alexandra, Andrew, Jordan and Daniel Marinos, Tanner and Natalie Tefft, Maggie Gardner, Cora Hodge; 4 great grandchildren, and his faithful and special dog Linus.
A memorial will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday at the United Church of Oxford, Main Street, Oxford, with Rev. Allen Lang officiating. Military honors will be provided by Fort Hill Post #376, American Legion.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to the Charles Stratton Scholarship Fund, c/o NBT Bank, 52 South Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815.
Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting www.behefuneralhome.com.