Billy A. Strickland
Feb. 10, 1938-April 25, 1959
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, April 25, 1959, page 1, col. 2, cont. page 2, col. 6 microfilm Niles District Library
Niles Young Man Killed As Auto
M-40 Fatality Takes Life of Billy Strickland
Early Morning Accident Near Dowagiac Fifth Cass County Fatality
DOWAGIAC [Special]--Billy (Bill) Ashley Strickland, 21, of 2831 Adams Road, Niles, was killed instantly early today when his car slammed nearly head-on into a tree after going off M-40 a mile south of Dowagiac.
A passenger riding beside Strickland on the front seat, Paul Donald Yeager, 22, of route three, Dowagiac, is listed in fair condition today in Lee Memorial Hospital. He was still unconscious early today.
Cass County Coroner Rollo Schoff said Strickland died instantly of multiple skull fractures and a fractured right leg. Strickland was found inside the car lying almost flat. Schoff said the impact of the crash broke the back of the seat.
Strickland's death was Cass County's fifth traffic fatality of 1959.
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YEAGER WHO was thrown out the right-hand door of the car, suffered internal injuries and a broken right leg. Cass County Sheriff's deputies said Yeager's life was probably saved because he was thrown out of the car.
The youths' wrecked car was found at 2:30 a.m. today by Arthur Baer, of Goshen, Ind., who was driving by. Deputies said the accident occurred about five minutes earlier.
From evidence at the scene, deputies said the car, going north, crossed over the center line on a straight portion of the road. The car's left wheels ran along the left shoulder for 145 feet before striking a tree which stood 16 1/2 feet off the road.
The tree was in the front yard
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of the home of Richard Casey, of route one, Dowagiac.
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THE ENGINE of the 1955 model two-door sedan was pushed through the firewall into the front seat. It was the engine that broke Strickland's right leg., deputies said.
Deputies said the youths reportedly had left a Niles Township tavern at 2 a.m. Strickland was apparently driving to Yeager's home. A sample of the driver's blood was taken for laboratory analysis.
Strickland was born in Lake City, Ark., Feb. 10, 1939[sic], the son of Levi H. and Virginia Strickland. The Stricklands came to Niles 15 years ago.
Surviving are his parents; five sisters, Mrs. Montene Summers, of Niles, and Sarah, Josephine, Joyce and Retha, all at home; a brother, Franklin, at home; and a half-brother, William, of Peoria, Ill.
Strickland, a Navy veteran, was discharged Jan. 30 after 3 1/2 years of service. He was employed at the Rudy Mfg. Co., Dowagiac.
The remains were taken to the Pifer Funeral Home, Niles, where arrangements are incomplete.
Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, Niles, beginning Sunday afternoon and until 1 p.m Tuesday, when the remains will be taken to the United Missionary Church. Services will be held there at 2 p.m. Tuesday, the Rev. Wayne Speicher officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
Note: DOB is given as Feb. 10, 1939 in obituary but cemetery record and Michigan Death Record have date as Feb. 10, 1938.