Gainesville - John William "Bill" Strickland, age 68, of Byers Road, Gainesville, Georgia, passed away Tuesday August 2, 2005 at his residence following an extended illness.Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 pm Thursday August 4, 2005 from the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with burial to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 pm Tuesday August 2, 2005 and Wednesday August 3, 2005 at the funeral home.Mr. Strickland was born in Franklin County to the late Issac and Gladys Ledbetter Strickland. He served in the United States Army. He was retired from Georgia Power Company. Mr. Strickland was a member of Flat Creek Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by brothers, Ollie and Frank Strickland.Mr. Strickland is survived by his wife Jo Haywood Strickland; daughters and son-in-law, Kelly and Kevin Mitchell, Flowery Branch; and Kim and Jeremy Abernathy, Cornelia; grandson, Drew Mitchell, Flowery Branch; brothers and sisters-in-law, Guerry and Jill Strickland; Joe and Pam Strickland; Charles and Mary Strickland; and Gene and Martha Strickland; brother, Philip Strickland; sisters and brothers-in-law, Ginger and Marvin Smith; Judy and Dewey Hawkins; Linda and Tommy Mauldin; and several nieces and nephews.Memorial Park Funeral Home of Gainesville, Georgia.