Mr. Billy Ray Strickland, 64, of 5699 New Franklin Church Road, Canon, died Thursday, August 3, 2006, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center in Spartanburg, SC.

Born August 10, 1941 in Belton, SC, he was a son of the late Clarence and Elsie Phillips Strickland.He was a construction worker in the industrial siding industry and was a U.S. Army Sergeant, having served in Vietnam.Mr. Strickland was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys Roach Strickland of the home; two sons, Troy Strickland and his wife, Sherry, of Martin, and Tony Strickland and his wife, Leslie, of Lavonia; a daughter, Denise Strickland of Canon; a brother, Marvin Strickland of Greenville, SC; a sister, Betty Eustace of Clinton, SC; five grandchildren, Ashley, Chel'C, Kayleigh, Seth, and Avery Strickland.He was preceded in death by a son, Travis Strickland.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, August 6, 2006, at the Lavonia Chapel of Strickland Funeral Home with Rev. Todd West and Rev. Stacy Lynch officiating.Burial will follow in Bowers Memorial Gardens with Military Honors.

The body is at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM Saturday evening.The family is at the home of Troy and Sherry Strickland, 252 Salubrity Road, Martin.

Strickland Funeral Home – Lavonia Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.