In Memory Of
William Walter Strukel
1933
2018
William Walter Strukel
May 4, 1933 — December 4, 2018
William (Bill) Walter Strukel, 85, of San Tan Valley, Arizona passed away December 4, 2018, in Mesa, Arizona. Bill was born at Cockerill/Mulberry, Kansas, to Rose and Jack Strukel Sr. Bill attended Cockerill Grade School (Crawford County), Arma High School, (Crawford County) and Kansas State University of Pittsburg, KS majoring in Social Science.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 – 1958 as a Combat Engineer and was an overseas veteran. He was Honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant in 1958.
Bill married Janice Prideaux and had a son, William Eric Strukel, now a Medical Doctor in the San Diego, CA area. Bill and Janice later divorced.
While Bill was in college, county leaders encouraged him to run for Sheriff of Crawford County. He was elected for three terms, 1962, 1964 and 1966 by overwhelming vote. In February 1967, he resigned as the Crawford County Sheriff and was appointed by Governor Robert Docking to become Chief Enforcement Officer for the State of Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control. He held that position until 1986, when he took a medical retirement. Upon retirement, Bill received the prestigious Director's Award from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. (Elliott Ness of Untouchables and prohibition era fame was also a recipient of this award).
In 1966, Bill was the co-author of the Officer's Handbook, a guide for Kansas law enforcement officers. The purpose of this handbook was to educate Kansas Lawmen and serve as a guide to assist them in carrying out their duties.
Beginning in 1964, Bill held various offices with the Kansas Sheriff's Association. In 1967, at the age of 33, he was voted a "lifetime member" in the Kansas Sheriff's Association. He served as Editor of the Kansas Sheriff's Association Magazine which was printed quarterly, from 1964 through 1970.
In 1968, Bill was elected vice Chairman of the Kansas Law Enforcement Commission to create mandatory police training for all full time Kansas police Officers. In 1969, he was elected Chairman of the Commission and was re-elected continuously as Chairman until July 1, 1982.
He married Darlene (Branda) Parmenter on July 23, 1983. They lived in Topeka while serving as ABC CIO, and then moved to Fresno, California. After Darlene retired from the Veterans Administration in Fresno, they moved to Arizona in September 1993, and resided in Apache Junction, Payson, Fountain Hills, and finally San Tan Valley, AZ.
Bill was a member of the American Legion and VFW in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was a member of Desert Chapel United Methodist Church, Apache Junction, AZ and many law officer associations.
He is survived by his wife, Darlene, of the home; his son, Dr. William Eric Strukel, M.D., Granddaughters, Sophia and Sabine; and Eric's mother, Ms. Janice Merritt, all of San Diego, CA; His Brother, Major General (Ret) Jack Strukel/Janet Gayle of Topeka, KS; Nephew, Jack Ed/ Elizabeth Strukel, Corvallis, Oregon; Nephew, Steven/Debra Strukel and Family of Lansing, KS; Niece, Robyn Lynn Pilcher, of Corvallis, OR; Cousins Harry Strukel of Girard, KS, and Ron Beatty/Sandi of Pleasant Hill, MO.
It was his will to be cremated with ashes being spread at three locations. Ashes will be placed in a niche at the Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego, California; Buried at the Memorial Park Cemetery, 6th & Gage, Topeka, KS, and spread near the former Cockerill Grade School in Crawford County, KS. A Celebration of Life is planned for January 4, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., with Visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, Kansas, with the Rev. Michael Eaton of Mesa, AZ officiating. His services will include "Military Honors."
Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, Topeka, KS is in charge of arrangements.
Arizona arrangements were provided by www.Mariposagardens.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Kansas Sheriffs' Association,
Attn: Memorial for former Sheriff Bill Strukel, PO Box 1122, Pittsburg, Kansas 66762.
To share a memory of Bill or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 – 1958 as a Combat Engineer and was an overseas veteran. He was Honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant in 1958.
Bill married Janice Prideaux and had a son, William Eric Strukel, now a Medical Doctor in the San Diego, CA area. Bill and Janice later divorced.
While Bill was in college, county leaders encouraged him to run for Sheriff of Crawford County. He was elected for three terms, 1962, 1964 and 1966 by overwhelming vote. In February 1967, he resigned as the Crawford County Sheriff and was appointed by Governor Robert Docking to become Chief Enforcement Officer for the State of Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control. He held that position until 1986, when he took a medical retirement. Upon retirement, Bill received the prestigious Director's Award from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. (Elliott Ness of Untouchables and prohibition era fame was also a recipient of this award).
In 1966, Bill was the co-author of the Officer's Handbook, a guide for Kansas law enforcement officers. The purpose of this handbook was to educate Kansas Lawmen and serve as a guide to assist them in carrying out their duties.
Beginning in 1964, Bill held various offices with the Kansas Sheriff's Association. In 1967, at the age of 33, he was voted a "lifetime member" in the Kansas Sheriff's Association. He served as Editor of the Kansas Sheriff's Association Magazine which was printed quarterly, from 1964 through 1970.
In 1968, Bill was elected vice Chairman of the Kansas Law Enforcement Commission to create mandatory police training for all full time Kansas police Officers. In 1969, he was elected Chairman of the Commission and was re-elected continuously as Chairman until July 1, 1982.
He married Darlene (Branda) Parmenter on July 23, 1983. They lived in Topeka while serving as ABC CIO, and then moved to Fresno, California. After Darlene retired from the Veterans Administration in Fresno, they moved to Arizona in September 1993, and resided in Apache Junction, Payson, Fountain Hills, and finally San Tan Valley, AZ.
Bill was a member of the American Legion and VFW in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was a member of Desert Chapel United Methodist Church, Apache Junction, AZ and many law officer associations.
He is survived by his wife, Darlene, of the home; his son, Dr. William Eric Strukel, M.D., Granddaughters, Sophia and Sabine; and Eric's mother, Ms. Janice Merritt, all of San Diego, CA; His Brother, Major General (Ret) Jack Strukel/Janet Gayle of Topeka, KS; Nephew, Jack Ed/ Elizabeth Strukel, Corvallis, Oregon; Nephew, Steven/Debra Strukel and Family of Lansing, KS; Niece, Robyn Lynn Pilcher, of Corvallis, OR; Cousins Harry Strukel of Girard, KS, and Ron Beatty/Sandi of Pleasant Hill, MO.
It was his will to be cremated with ashes being spread at three locations. Ashes will be placed in a niche at the Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego, California; Buried at the Memorial Park Cemetery, 6th & Gage, Topeka, KS, and spread near the former Cockerill Grade School in Crawford County, KS. A Celebration of Life is planned for January 4, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., with Visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, Kansas, with the Rev. Michael Eaton of Mesa, AZ officiating. His services will include "Military Honors."
Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, Topeka, KS is in charge of arrangements.
Arizona arrangements were provided by www.Mariposagardens.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Kansas Sheriffs' Association,
Attn: Memorial for former Sheriff Bill Strukel, PO Box 1122, Pittsburg, Kansas 66762.
To share a memory of Bill or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Walter Strukel, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, January 4, 2019
10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Service
Friday, January 4, 2019
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Guestbook
Visits: 6
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