On October 9, 2024, William Dettwiller Stroker (known as “Billy Dett” in the early years and then “Billy Blue Eyes” and eventually just “Bill”) died at the age of 86 in Silver Spring, Maryland. Loving husband to Mary Ann Stroker, devoted father to Katherine Stroker (Charles Betancourt), and proud grandfather of William and Sam Betancourt, Bill is also survived by his sister Josephine Elkins, his nephew Albert Elkins (Cathy), and his niece Kathy Jo Elkins.
The son of a protestant minister, Bill grew up playing basketball (honorable mention All- American) and staying out of trouble in Clintonville, Kentucky. His mother taught middle school English, fostering his impeccable grammar and lifelong respect for education. Bill received his undergraduate degree in philosophy from Transylvania University, earned his master’s degree from Yale Divinity School, studied at the University of Basel on a Rotary Fellowship, and received his doctorate in theology from Yale University. Bill was active in the civil rights movement and always a proud feminist. He spent most of his career on the faculty of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, chairing the Department of Religious Studies for more than 15 years, serving on countless university committees, and mentoring many students who appreciated both his academic guidance and his moral compass.
Bill often defied stereotypes – the liberal who won the riflery competition, the professor who read the sports page first, or the short guy who played a remarkably good game of basketball. He was thoughtful and kind, full of wisdom and steady leadership. Bill was also a walking library and the first to tell you about such things as the difference between the Gregorian and the Julian calendars, or the difference between AC and DC power, just in case you were wondering. A true night owl, Bill was happy to rise right before lunch and spend the “wee hours” on his scholarship. He is best known for his book, the Extra Canonical Sayings of Jesus (Scholar’s Press, 1989). Bill also enjoyed singing bass in the Summit Chorale, sharing a beer with his tennis buddies, eating lunch at the Drew faculty club, doing his own taxes, gardening in the backyard, and accompanying Mary Ann on trips around the world. He was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church (Madison, NJ), the American Association of University Professors, the Society of Biblical Literature, the American Academy of Religion, and the Council on Graduate Studies in Religion. He will be missed dearly and by many.
A memorial service will be held on November 9th at 10 am in the Riderwood chapel, in Silver Spring, Maryland.
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