He served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1964, when he was honorably discharged.
Sonny had a long and rewarding career in telephone technologies for more than three decades with Western Electric and Lucent Technologies, finally retiring in 2003 from Lucent Technologies. In 2006, he and his wife, Diane, moved to Yuma, Arizona, beginning his true retirement.
Sonny, an avid golfer, spent most of his days on the golf course. He loved golfing so much that he had a wall hanging in his home that said, “I only golf on days ending in Y.”
He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. Sonny was an active member of the Moose Lodge and Eagles Club.
Sonny met his first wife, Elizabeth Miller, in Kapowsin, Washington, in 1965. Together they had three sons, Bradley Strickland, Jason Strickland and Jamie Strickland. He was also blessed with six grandchildren.
Sonny married his second wife, Diane Bartelson, in 1988. She had four grown children. He was close to his stepdaughter, Jill Jackson.
Sonny is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Bradley and Nanci Strickland; son, Jamie Strickland; stepdaughter, Jill Jackson; and sister, Janis Green.
He was preceded in death by his father, Walter Strickland; grandson, Gabriel Strickland; mother, Dorris Strickland; son, Jason Strickland; second wife, Diane Strickland; brother, Steven Strickland; and first wife, Elizabeth Strickland (Miller).
