Willard Strickland, 84 of McCaysville went to his heavenly home on Friday, May 19, 2023. Mr. Strickland was a member of Epworth First Baptist Church. He served in the US Navy in his younger days and loved talking about his service for our country. He loved to coach boys' baseball and on occasion his daughter's softball teams. He loved his family very much and worked hard his whole life to provide for them. He was a devout Christian husband, dad and granddaddy to his entire family. He retired after more than 40 years with E. Smith Heating and Air Conditioning before coming to the Blue Ridge Mountains. He loved living in the mountains and provided a legacy that his family will never forget.

Mr. Strickland was pre-deceased by his wife of 53 years, Dianne Strickland; parents, Dwight Lyman Strickland and Annie Merle Ayers Strickland; and brothers, Dwight and Scotty Strickland. He is survived by daughters, Stephanie (Ryan) Beckett of Acworth, Christy (Patrick) Chastain of Athens, Jennifer (Gary) Farmer of McCaysville, and Amy (Kevin) Harper of Ellijay; and sister, Frankie Daniel of Marietta. Grandchildren, Aaron, Kyle, Grant (Bella) Chastain, Cayla (Brian) McBee, Cymon, Will, Adam and Julie Farmer, Jesse and Anna Harper. Six great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews survive as well.

The funeral service will be Monday at 2:00 p.m. from the First Baptist Church Epworth GA. Mr. Strickland will lie in state at the church from 1:00 p.m. until the funeral hour of 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be at the funeral home Sunday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Dr. Tom Jordan and Rev. Chris Clark will be officiating. Music will be by Tammie Mason, Adam Farmer and Vernon Owenby. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Aaron, Kyle, Grant Chastain, Cymon, Will, Adam Farmer and Brian McBee. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinscobb.com.

Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.