William "Bill" Strout, Jr., 70, formerly of Crystal Lake

William (Bill) Stuart Strout, Jr., 70, formerly of Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills, passed away on Jan. 28, 2013, at home surrounded by his loving family. He bravely lost his battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Bill was born in Bloomington, Indiana, on Oct. 29, 1942. He just celebrated 70 years. Bill graduated from Crystal Lake High School and Northern Illinois University.

He served in the U.S. Marine Reserves. Bill was in commercial insurance sales for 30 plus years with Assurance Agency as principal and partner. His accomplished career at Assurance Agency created many close friendships with associates and clients.

Among his many passions, Bill enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, golfing, fishing and watching Chicago sports. Bill was a devoted son and brother, loving husband, very proud father, grandfather and uncle. He was also a wonderful and encouraging friend.

Family and friends meant the world to Bill and him to them. All will greatly miss his big heart and smile, integrity, friendship and ultimate courage. As a person Bill was reliable, supportive, loving and happy. He was truly a gentleman and always kind and eager to help anyone.

Bill is survived by Lynn, his wife of 46 years; daughter Wylie Strout of Dana Point, CA; son Billy Strout, (Megan) and three grandchildren, Will, Scotty and Kaitlyn of Leawood, KS; Brother Michael, (Dianne) of Wonder Lake and their daughters: Lisa, (Steve) Beard, children Max and Quincey, of Woodstock; Katie, (Matt) Jerrells, children Blake and Khloe, of Fort Myers, FL, and Stacie, (Matt) O’Block of Fort Myers, FL; Cousin John Zitko, (Mimi) and family of Antioch, IL, and Cousin Betty Sue Fostle, (Don) and family of Sparta, NJ.

He was preceded in death by his father William Stuart Strout in 1980, his mother Betty Strout White in 2008 and Joseph White in 2009.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in loving memory of William Strout to support one of the following wonderful organizations: Northeastern Hospice Foundation of Northeastern Illinois, 405 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington, IL 60010 (online at www.hospiceanswers.org), or to support leukemia research at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Attn: Amanda Craig, 420 E. Superior Street, 9th floor, Chicago, IL 60611 (make checks payable to Northwestern University).

Memorial Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb.17, at First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake.

The family will be available one hour prior to the memorial service in the chapel. A memorial celebration will immediately follow the services at the Boulder Ridge Country Club in Lake in the Hills.

Internment private at Crystal Lake Memorial Park Cemetery.

Arrangements handled by Skaja Bachmann Funeral Home in Crystal Lake.