William Max Strickland

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of William "Bill" Max Strickland, age 83, of Cornelia, Georgia. Bill passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

Bill was born on November 9, 1942, in Royston, Georgia, to the late Martin and Polly Strickland. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, David Strickland (Jenny) and Hubert Strickland.

Bill was a proud University of Georgia graduate, where he majored in Math. He often told the story of meeting his wife, Mary Beth, at the Baptist Student Union. Bill and Mary Beth married on July 10, 1965, and were married for 61 years.

Upon graduating from The University of Georgia, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy from 1966-1969. He attended the Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, Georgia. He was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, and served aboard the U.S.S. Ozark.

After the Navy, Bill and Mary Beth moved to Atlanta where they started their family. While in Atlanta, Bill worked at The Southern Company, and attended night school at Woodrow Wilson School of Law, and passed the bar exam.

In 1977, Bill and Mary Beth moved to Cornelia, GA where he worked at Standard Telephone and taught night business classes at Piedmont College. Bill and Mary Beth became members of the First Baptist Church of Cornelia where he taught Sunday School classes for several years. He was a Shriner with the Yaarab Temple. Bill spent much of his leisure time bass fishing, golfing, bird hunting, and most importantly, loving and supporting his family.

Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Beth Davis Strickland, daughters, Kathy Webb (Tim) and Betsy Wagenknecht. He was also the proud “Grumps” to Georgia Hedden (Gunner) and Janie Bohannon (Owen), and Harper Hedden and Greyson Hedden (great-grandchildren). He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bill’s name may be made to First Baptist Church in Cornelia, or Poplar Springs Methodist Campground c/o Alan Burton, PO Box 40, Lavonia, GA 30553.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at the First Baptist Church of Cornelia with Dr. Nathan LaShoto officiating.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at the Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel prior to the service.

A Private Family Graveside will be held at the Starr Family Cemetery, 4027 Beaver Dam Farm Rd., Canon, GA 30520.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, South Chapel at 1370 Industrial Boulevard, Baldwin, Georgia 30511. Telephone: 706-778-7123.