William A. Stratton's Obituary
William Arthur Stratton, also known as "W.A.,” “Bill,” and "Captain," joined his LORD and Savior Jesus Christ on September 25th, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. At 98 years old, he was experiencing a brief bout of heart failure when the LORD called him home.
Born to Clyde and Cora Stratton in Powhattan, Brown County, Kansas on February 28th, 1924, Bill's Meager upbringing would later blossom into great and amazing adventures when, as a young man of 19, he joined the US. Army Air Force to fly off and help win world War ll!
Bill served 13 months overseas with the 10th Army Air Force in the 1st Troop Carrier Squadron, 443rd Troop Carrier Group in what was known officially as the “China, Burma, India,” or, “CBI" theater of operations. However, among the men of the 10th, the “CBI" stood for "Confusion Beyond Imagination"!
So, there in the CBI as a young, enthusiastic 1st Lieutenant pilot-in-command, Bill flew daily logistical missions in unarmed C-47 Skytrains dropping supplies to front line troops in Burma and flew 90 missions in C-46 Commando aircraft over the "China Hump" through the extremely dangerous Himalayan mountain range. After the war ended, he transported Chinese troops deep into China's Interior for the Nationalist Government.
During the war, as a result of his continuous and increasingly hazardous mission loads against the unforgiving towering mountains, snow and rain storms and occasional Japanese fighter planes, Bill was awarded the U.S. Army Distinguished Flying Cross with two (2) oak leaf clusters (3 awards), the U.S. Army Air Medal with three (3) oak leaf clusters (4 awards), the Memorial Badge and ribbon for service in the CBI, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and ribbon with three (3) bronze campaign stars for campaigns in the India, Burma, Central Burma and China offensives, the World War Il Victory Medal and ribbon and the China War Memorial Medal. Last but not least, his unit received the U.S. Army Presidential Unit Citation ribbon for "gallantry, determination and esprit de corps.”
Bill flew many daring and danger-filled missions during the war but one assignment really stands out as a testament to the courageous and spirited demeanor of the CBI pilots. Many people have seen the Hollywood production, The Bridge On the River Kwai," starring William Holden. The movie was loosely based on actual events that took place deep in the Burma Jungle.
In 1942-1943, the Japanese Imperial Army brought over 60,000 Allied prisoners-of-war of American, British, Dutch and Australian forces, along with more than 250,000 Asian slave laborers who struggled to survive the demands of one of the greatest engineering projects of World War ll. They built the Thailand-Burma railroad system nearly 250 miles long, hacking their way through appalling jungle heat, fighting disease, vermin and ever constant starvation, torture and beatings. Over 100,000 men died in the unbearable venture. In the end, the railroad system would be made up of over 600 bridges and viaducts! But sadly, most people have heard of only one; the bridge on the river Kwai.
Immediately after the end of hostilities with Japan, Bill and many other pilots and crew flew into jungle landing strips and rescued hundreds of the slave labor survivors! He was very proud of this mission. Upon returning home after winning the war, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Mildred Frances Gunn, on January 25th, 1947. By the way, Bill’s C-46 Commando aircraft had the name "Fran" as the nose art! Bill and Fran were married for 65 years when she passed away on February 6th , 2012. In their years together, Bill and Fran welcomed three (3) children: Dustin Ann, Mark Steven, and Steven Michael.
As Bill's primary passion was flying, in 1946 he was employed by Mid-Continent Airlines which eventually merged with Braniff International on August 9th, 1952 in Kansas City, Missouri where the family lived. In 1955, Bill and the family transferred to Dallas, Texas where the family would remain until all the children were grown. Bill and Fran then moved to Cedar Creek Lake where Bill commuted to DFW in his private Cessna 172 aircraft. During his career with Braniff International, Bill flew the largest commercial aircraft all around the globe and had the privilege to visit every continent except Australia!
Another of Bill's passions was a fifteen (15) year period of blue water boating with Fran along the Pacific Northwest seaboard aboard his luxury yacht, "Freedom Il." It was while they were sailing off the coast of British Columbia in September of 1982 that they received word of Braniff International's demise. At the time, besides being an international flight captain aboard Braniff 747's, Bill was a licensed instructor for single engine, multi-engine, and instrument ratings. During Bill's retirement, in addition to boating, he and Fran traveled extensively in their motor home to every state.
In 2003, Bill and Fran moved to Tyler, Texas so Dusty could look after them in their declining years. It was here, on February 6th, 2012, shortly after their 65th anniversary, that Fran died unexpectedly. Shortly after her death, Bill moved to a Dallas retirement center. Sadly, Bill was preceded in death by his first son Mark Steven (July 15th, 1979), then by his wife Fran (February 6th, 2012), and lastly by his second son, Steve Michael (March 2th, 2017).
William A. Stratton is survived by his daughter, Dustin D. Grey (husband Collie); his Daughter-in-Law, Lanette Turnbow Stratton; and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Grandson Mark Steven Stratton (wife Austin and great-grandchildren Adaline, Maddox, Brylee & Teagan), granddaughter Holly Stratton Hardy (husband Dr. Jon Hardy and great granddaughters Stevie Lynn & Hannah), grandson Michael Landon Stratton (wife Ashley and great-granddaughter Hadley), granddaughter Joy Stratton Medellin (husband Ryan and soon-to-be great-grandson "Charlie").
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