Mr. Willie Strong

Willie Strong, 96, passed away peacefully at home on July 22, 2024, after a brief struggle with two types of cancer. His parents, Josephine and Will Strong; all of his siblings, Romaner, M.L., Eddie, Paul, Dr. Willa Strong, Ruth, and Bernice; his lovely wife (Corinne) of over 75 years, and his two sons, Kevin Sr., and Steven Sr., preceded him in death. Willie was born on October 27, 1927, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was extremely proud of his upbringing in the all-Black town of Taft, Oklahoma and shared many stories of life growing up in the small community that was like ‘one big happy family.’ He spoke fondly of the kids he grew up with and to our knowledge, only one is still living: Paul Williams of Wichita, Kansas. Willie’s father worked for the State of Oklahoma at the Deaf, Blind, & Orphan Institute (DB&O) and so that’s where he went to school. His father shared his knowledge of all things mechanical with his sons and each of them were able to develop those skills in all aspects of their lives. As a young boy, Willie even built a wooden desk that was lost in a fire, but it did not extinguish his desire to learn as much as he could about many things. Willie was the family’s “original McGyver” who could fix anything! While in school, he met the love of his life, a beautiful young lady with long hair. Her name was Corinne Vann. They became high school sweethearts. After graduation from high school, Willie joined his sister Bernice in Kansas City, Missouri. Shortly thereafter, Corinne joined him, and they were married in an intimate setting at the home of his Aunt Delia Abernathy’s home. They remained married until Corinne’s passing on April 23, 2024. In 1951, Willie was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He served as a Military Policeman and was stationed in Germany. He developed a hobby in photography and took many beautiful pictures of his travels to share. After being Honorably Discharged, he returned to Kansas City. Willie became employed at Brookside Dry Cleaners (later known as Rainbow Cleaners) where the owner noticed how sharp he was and asked him if he would be interested in learning stain removal. Naturally, he jumped at the opportunity and began taking a correspondence course in Textile Engineering. After over 30 years there, he was offered a position at the brand-new Crown Center Hotel’s Laundry/Valet as a dry cleaner. He accepted that position and worked there for over 25 years and would have still been working there had it not closed. He had no problem working. While working and raising a family, Willie enrolled in the Universal Television System where he became certified in Radio and Television Repair and Service. It was at that time that Strong Television Repair and Service was born. He repaired hundreds of TVs and radios throughout the city, as well as small electronics. There was nothing he couldn’t fix. At a very young age, Willie accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and attended African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church services with his parents. He attended Allen Chapel AME Church with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He would help with repairs at the Church as well as the Parsonage. From stripping and waxing Fellowship floors to plumbing repairs at the parsonage, he, his sons, and brother-in-law, Dan Houston, would help whenever help was needed—AT NO CHARGE. Willie was jack of all trades and a master of many. After purchasing his first home, he remodeled his basement; even putting the TV in the wall!! That was unheard of back then! He then remodeled the kitchen, even building the kitchen cabinets himself and hung a TV from the ceiling so everyone could see it when eating in the breakfast room. He loved music, too! Especially jazz. There was always music in the home; and sometimes dancing! He and Corinne could really “cut a rug!” Willie was a proud man who adored his wife and children, as well as his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Cherished memories are held by his daughters, Sharon Strong and Saundra Strong of the City, six grandchildren: Brian Strong, Darelle (Grady) Strong, Sr., Kevin Strong, Jr. and Steven Strong, Jr., Allyssa and Sydnee Strong; eight great-grandchildren Tyler Strong, Britney Strong, Brianna Strong, Brice Strong, Naudiah Grady and Darelle Grady, Jr., Analissia and Angelique Brobst; and two great-great grandchildren, Kingston and Kross Strong. He also leaves several special nieces, special nephews, quite a few special cousins, and many people who looked up to him as a father figure. His children knew that he was a very special person and didn’t mind “sharing” him with others. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024, 11:00am at The Mount Christian Worship Center. Interment Brooking Cemetery. Visitation from 9am-11am at the church. Services conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website.