Obituary of William H. Strutton

WARRENSBURG:  William Herbert Strutton MD, FCAP, 92 years old, of Warrensburg, NY passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 25, 2025, with his family by his side.

Born on November 1, 1932 in Nyack NY, Bill was the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. William R. Strutton.  A competitive and spirited chap from the outset, during Bill’s teenage years, his parents found he would benefit from the institutional guidance of the Hackley School across the river in Tarrytown NY.  At Hackley he learned to direct his excess energies into tennis and fencing, becoming captain of both teams.  Thereafter he went to Johns Hopkins University, where he continued as captain of the Fencing team and ultimately to New York Medical College where he graduated in 1959.  After Medical School, Bill did a residency in Pathology with the US Air Force and served in southeast Asia during the Vietnam conflict from 1968-69.

During Medical School he got lucky and met the love of his life, Margaret Whitacre from Warrensburg NY, who would, a few years later, marry him and give him a family of five.  Family life kept Bill busy and mostly out of trouble, but not free of a few family nicknames (and many stories), including the apt “Dr. Doom and Gloom” (for his reluctance to endorse motorbikes, bb-guns and other forms of childhood mischief and entertainment) and Dr. Destructo (for his scissor work in opposition to the “social media” of the 1970, yes, he was literally cutting the cords).  He instead channeled his children’s energies into wintertime skiing, summertime sailing and camping at Lake George, tennis, baseball, Boy Scouts, and his love of Opera (the last of which was a dismal failure on his part), on Long Island NY where he lived.  In addition to his medical practice, he was active in Rotary International, and routinely hosted exchange students from other countries to experience the chaos of our family of 5 children and 2 dogs.  Somehow it all usually worked out, but with a fair measure of mishap and improvisation.  His actual doctor skills were called on more than once, but primarily in the form of chauffeur to local Emergency Rooms.  Children #’s 1 and 5 kept him particularly up to date on these skills.

Throughout his life he enjoyed singing in church choirs, from the Hackley School, to our childhood church in Wading River (where he also served as Deacon and Trustee), into retirement for 25 years in Sarasota FL, and finally coming full circle back to Warrensburg NY.

Bill took great pride in watching the growth and accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Bill was predeceased by his parents, sister Ferol Hahn, brother-in-law Evan Whitacre, sister-in-law Ann Foster, and son William R. Strutton.

Bill is survived by his wife Margaret Strutton, four children, Kimberlee Piazza (Fred), Kristine Mansfield, Darryl Strutton (Rebecca), David Strutton (Lyn), ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Bill’s memory to the First Presbyterian Church of Warrensburg, Warrensburg EMT, or a charity of your choice.

Friends may call on Bill’s family on Saturday, February 1, 2024, 11am – Noon at Alexander Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street, Warrensburg, NY 12885. A service will be held following visitation at Noon. Spring burial will take place in Warrensburg Cemetery.

Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online condolences, guest book and directions.