Small business owner, vegetable gardener, doting grandfather
William Strzempko. (Courtesy photo)
William F. Strzempko, 77, died peacefully Dec. 30, 2023, in Harvard.
William was born in Holyoke on July 19, 1946, a son of the late Thaddeus and Lillian Strzempko.
William attended Mater Dolorosa Grammar School and South Hadley High School. He graduated from American International College in 1968 with a degree in business administration. Later, he attended law school at the University of Toledo.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and served in the office of the judge advocate. There he worked with veterans returning home from the Vietnam conflict. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1970.
During his career, he worked in several capacities related to his business background and interests. For a time, he was with the Boston office of the former Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. He later owned and operated his own small business together with his former wife. He taught accounting at the college level and consulted for various companies in the areas of administration and accounting.
William was athletic as a youth and participated in track and field sports in high school. He also enjoyed music and played the trumpet with musical groups. He was an avid gardener and loved to raise vegetables in his home garden. William’s family and friends will always remember him as fun-loving, often engaging in acts of practical jokes, sometimes at their expense.
Bill cherished his three children as well as his grandchildren, nieces, and great-nieces. He was known to spoil them by sneaking goodies like cookies or candy. He would do the same for animals. As a youngster, he would pass food to the pet dog under the table so his parents wouldn’t see. The dogs would wait for him to come into a room because they knew he would have a treat. He had a heart of gold.
William is survived by his daughter, Heather, and Hugo Amezaga of North Carolina; his son, Michael, and Samantha Strzempko of Lyndonville, Vermont; and his son, Derrick Strzempko of Lyndonville, Vermont; and by his five beloved grandchildren: Ashley, Liam, Ethan, Mike, and Maverick. He is also survived by his brother, Ted Strzempko, of Westfield, and his sister, Elaine Wilson, of Harvard.
His family extends its heartfelt appreciation to his sister for the care and attention she provided to him during his times of personal challenge.
Family and friends were invited to celebrate William’s life from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 8, at Badger Funeral Home, Littleton. A funeral Mass followed at St. Theresa Church, 15 Still River Road. He will be buried in Vermont. Remembrances can be left at www.badgerfuneral.com.
In remembrance of William, donations may be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project, https://support.wounded warriorproject.org or P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675.
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