WILLIAM G. STRONG PORTAGE, IN William G. "Bill" Strong, 75, of Portage, passed away Thursday, November 24, 2011 in Valparaiso. He was born April 22, 1936 in East Gary to Elmon D. and Leah (Davis) Strong. Bill was married to Ernestine Etchason, who survives of Portage, IN. Bill is also survived by his son, William David Strong of Portage, IN; brothers: Ralph (Linda) Strong of Wheatfield, IN and Marvin (Sandy) Strong of Demotte, IN; sister, Charlene Ronk of Chesterton, IN; grandchildren: Chris, Timmy and Jacob; nieces and nephews: Kim (Juan), Cindy (Rob), Susan (Mike), Mark (Jenny), Sally (Brent), and Kathy (Bob); and many great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Elmon and Leah Strong; and nephew, Alan. Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He retired from Inland Steel where he worked as a Steel Worker. Bill enjoyed fishing and collecting model cars, and he liked meeting his buddies for coffee almost every day. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 2, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home Portage Chapel, 6941 Central Ave., Portage, IN with Pastor Frederick Hoover officiating. The family will visit with family and friends from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Burial will follow at McCool Cemetery, Portage, IN. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2011 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.EE-FH.com.