Mr. Willard Alan Strait, age 53, of Eaton Rapids and formerly of Walkerville, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, August 13, 2011. He was born May 22, 1958, in Hart to LeRoy and Eunice (Dudley) Strait. He was employed at Capital City Airport as an air traffic controller. Willard was a member of Hart High School Class of 1976 and he served in the United States Air Force from 1976 to 1986, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He married Lisa Warmuskerken in 1987. Willard received his pilot's license at 16 years of age. He loved to fly and enjoyed model airplanes. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and family and fishing.

Willard is survived by his wife, Lisa Strait; one son, Daniel (Sarah) Strait of Kalamazoo; two daughters, Tasia (Brian Elliott) Wambaugh of Eaton Rapids and Tashena (Josh) Finney of Fayetteville, NC; his mother, Eunice Strait; three sisters, Evelyn Miller of Fremont, Carol (Robert) Bitson of Shelby, Rose Purdy of Walkerville; one brother, Gary (Colleen) Strait of Shelby; grandchildren, Cynthia Elliot, Zoe Strait, and Conner Finney; and his in-laws, Glen and Jeanine Warmuskerken of Walkerville, MI. He was preceded in death by his father, LeRoy and brothers-in-law, Rick Purdy and Don Miller.

Funeral services for Mr. Strait will be Sunday, August 21, 2011, at 2:00 pm at King Funeral Home in Hart with Rev. Guy Rayle officiating. Visitation will be Saturday at King Funeral Home from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Interment will be a family only service at Elbridge Cemetery.