William "Bill" John Strathman

William “Bill” John Strathman, 68, of Topeka, Kansas, formerly of Sabetha, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at his home in Topeka.

Bill was born in Sabetha on February 16, 1956, to Benedict and Mary (Banks) Strathman. He dedicated much of his life to his hometown of Sabetha, receiving his education in the Sabetha schools and graduating from Sabetha High School in 1974. A faithful Christian, Bill was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sabetha. 

On March 17, 1978, Bill married Tami Lorraine Goodman. Together, they built a home and raised their two sons, Jonathan and Matthew, in Sabetha. Bill and Tami would have celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary in March of this year. Bill was a wonderful husband and father who took great pride in raising his sons. Throughout his life, Bill demonstrated unwavering patience and determination. 

Bill was an avid tennis player, and he also loved bowling and playing softball in the local sports leagues in Sabetha. He cherished the time spent sharing his love of baseball with his sons and their teammates, creating many joyful memories throughout the many seasons of baseball. Bill was an avid sports fan who loved to watch the Kansas Jayhawks, and the Kansas City Chiefs compete and win championships.

Bill was a loyal employee who spent most of his professional career working at Mid America Dairymen, Inc. in Sabetha from 1974 to 1996. Following the company’s closure, he joined Keim TS, Inc. in 1997, and remained there until 2014. For many years while at Keim TS, Bill had the unique opportunity to work alongside his sons, Jonathan and Matthew, who credit their father, Bill, for instilling in them the importance and value of a strong work ethic. Their time together at Keim TS brought many joyful moments and special memories that Jonathan and Matthew will always cherish.

Bill and Tami moved to Topeka in January of 2024, to receive care and ongoing support for Bill as he simultaneously battled Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Cathy Ward; his brother, James Strathman; his father-in-law, Elvin Goodman; and his two brothers-in-law, Ray Lopez and Jim Ward.

Bill is survived by his wife, Tami Strathman of Topeka; his two sons, Jonathan (Amy) Strathman of Mansfield, Texas, and Matthew (Dannielle) Strathman of Topeka; his six grandsons, Tucker, Cooper, Decker, Blake, Grady, and Landry; his seven siblings, Ruth Lopez of Canon City, Colorado, Wayne (Sharon) Strathman of Kansas City, Missouri, Ed (Lynette) Strathman of Bern, Kansas, Gerry (Lori) Strathman of Bern, Kansas, Dean (Thelma) Strathman of Sabetha, Jeff (Cyndi) Strathman of Kansas City, Kansas, and Chris (Melissa) Strathman of McPherson, Kansas; his mother-in-law, Beverly Goodman, his five brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Janet (Mike) Valdivia, Dennis (Dort) Goodman, Teresa (Brad) Edelman, Michael (Julie) Goodman, Eileen (Brad) Burenheide; and his many nieces and nephews in the Strathman and Goodman families.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sabetha. On Sunday, January 19, 2025, a rosary will be prayed at 2:00 p.m. followed by visitation until 4:00 p.m. at the Popkess Mortuary Chapel in Sabetha. Interment will be made in the Albany Cemetery, north of Sabetha. Memorial contributions are suggested to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in memory of Bill for the many years of support provided to the family during Bill’s 25-year-long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Memorial contributions can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at: 

https://donate.nationalmssociety.org/campaign/In-Memory-of-Bill-Strathman---Sabetha--KS