Billy Stratford, Jr.

A graveside service celebrating the life of Billy Stratford, Jr., age 91, of Mount Vernon, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24, at Newark Memorial Gardens with Pastor Darren Shafer officiating. Military honors will be observed by the Licking County Veterans Alliance. The family will also be observing a private funeral service.

Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 23, at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home, 179 Granville Street in Newark. Due to  COVID-19 concerns, masks must be worn inside the funeral home. For your protection, a maximum of 35 guests will be allowed inside at one time. Please practice social distancing.

Billy was born December 28, 1929 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Edgar W. and Edith (Chadwick) Stratford. He passed away on Friday, February 19, 2021 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Billy was a veteran of the United States Army and retired from Kaiser Aluminum. He was an ordained minister and preacher of the Gospel. Billy was an avid fisherman and enjoyed being outdoors.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Donna Grace (Mossholder) Stratford, whom he married May 26, 1951; sons, Billy E. (Lynn) Stratford, Thomas (Margo) Stratford and Daniel (Venda) Stratford; daughters, Donna (Michael) Lamp and Mary (Dave) Davis; 18 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley Hayes; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two children, Pamela Stratford and a baby; a grandson, Kailin Ora Main, Jr.; three brothers, Edgar Raymond Stratford, Charles Stratford and Paul Stratford; two sisters, Vivian and Betty Stratford; and a nephew, David Hayes.

Please visit www.HoskinsonFuneral.com to share a special memory about Billy or to sign an online guest book.

Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Billy and his family.