William Strpko

William "Bill" John Strpko, age 97, of Ashley, MI, passed away peacefully Friday, February 19, 2021, at Sparrow Carson Hospital, Carson City.

Private Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 11:00 A.M., with Mr. Thomas J. Bradley officiating.  The service will be available to view on the Smith Family Funeral Homes Facebook page. Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery, North Star, MI. A public Celebration of Bill's Life will take place at a later date.

William was born in Toledo, OH on September 26, 1923, the son of William and Anna (Stvartak) Strpko. He graduated from Ashley High School with the class of 1941. Bill proudly served his country in the United States Army and Air Force during WWII as a Staff Sergeant.

Bill married Peggy Jane Dougherty on October 27, 1951 at St. Cyril's Catholic Church, Bannister, MI; Peggy passed away on March 9, 2012 after 60 years of marriage.

Bill was a man of many talents and interests. He owned and operated Strpko Radio and TV Sales and Service in Ashley for many years. He was a school bus driver for Ashley Public Schools for 34 years. Bill was Superintendent of the Village of Ashley Water Department. Bill was a musician and artist all of his life. He began playing the accordion at the age of 13. He played in many Polka bands over the years. As a life long resident of Ashley, Bill was the local historian and photographer for the Ashley area and a charter member of the Ashley Lions' Club since 1953.

Bill is survived by 4 children: Kathrine (John) Guerrero of Ashley,

Michael (Janice Seperic) Strpko of St. Johns, Tina (Ernie) Block of DeWitt, and Gary (Libby) Strpko of Lansing; 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters: Helen Townsend and Josephine (Art) Baker; sister-in-law Delores Strpko and many nieces and nephews.  Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wife Peggy, siblings: Frank Strpko, Anton "Butch" Strpko, and Anna (Walter) Gregory; and brother-in-law Ted Townsend.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ashley, Michigan History Museum (make checks payable to "Village of Ashley" designate for Museum in Memory of Bill Strpko - P.O. Box 158 Ashley, MI 48806) or Ashley Lions' Club (PO BOX 177, Ashley, MI 48806-0177). Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.