Wanda Fay Strong

Wanda Fay Strong, 89, was born on June 10, 1936 in Fort Worth, Texas to Paul and Margaret “Pearl” Brown. She passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by the ones she loved, on November 14, 2025. She graduated from the original Birdville High School in Haltom City in 1954, later to be renamed Haltom High School. Wanda graduated from Texas Wesleyan College (now University) in May of 1965 with a Bachelor of Business Education. She went on to receive her Master in Education from North Texas State University and in 1975, her All-Level Administrators Certification after completing 39 hours above her masters degree which allowed her to hold any position in public schools.

Wanda was devoted to Birdville Independent School District. She started her career in 1965 at Haltom High School as a Vocational Education Instructor in the business department. After completing her Masters Degree she became an Assistant Principal at Haltom Junior High in 1971. That is where she met the love of her life and best friend, Paul D Strong who was a teacher and coach. They had both been divorced about 5 years. She had one son, Paul E Andreason, and he had two boys, David and Billy Strong. Paul told his boys the day she met them, “I’m going to marry her.” And so they did. On June 8, 1973 they married and seamlessly blended their lives together. In 1984 Wanda became the first female to serve on the Haltom City Council. She served two years.

Wanda was Assistant Principal at a few middle schools before eventually becoming the Principal of Smithfield Elementary in 1987. She was there two years before becoming the Principal of North Oaks Middle School. In 1996 she retired from Birdville ISD, as the dream she had of being a teacher as a young child had been fulfilled beyond her greatest expectations. In 1997 she was asked to run for Birdville ISD school board. She agreed, and won by large majority over 2 opponents. She faithfully served in various capacities on the BISD School Board of Trustees until 2010.

Wanda and Paul loved life. Wanda loved cooking and hosting! They loved to have family and friends at their pool at home during summers and Wanda loved making fudge with a few she held dear, as well as hosting the girls for a special Christmas brunch every year. Wanda and Paul owned property near Strawn, TX for a couple decades and they spent a majority of their early retirement there. Paul Jr often stayed with them riding four-wheelers and “the big green tractor.” They also loved to travel. They traveled all over the world with family and dear friends and continued to travel until Paul’s passing in 2022. Later in life, they often traveled with her granddaughter, Amy, and her family all over the country. Paul and Wanda would pick a place and off they went. Wanda loved flowers, especially in her backyard, her church, but most of all, her family. Wanda loved her boys and her daughters in law but never understood how none of them cooked! Her grandkids and great grandkids were her life. Paul and Wanda lived next door to her granddaughter on Mack Road for many years. When her granddaughter decided to sell and build a new house elsewhere in Haltom City, Wanda and Paul asked if they could build next door. Of course that was an easy yes for Amy, as she loved her grandma more than almost anyone in the world.

Wanda is survived by her daughter in law, Cynthia (Cindy) Andreason, sons David Strong and wife Mona, Billy Strong and wife Jennifer; grandchildren Amy Michlitsch and husband Jason, Paul Andreason, Jr., Lafe Strong and wife Stacey, Meaghan Strong and husband Justin McCullars, Ryder Bowen and wife Sarah, Shane Strong, Raylee Strong, Lauren Strong; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Brylee and Callen Michlitsch, Jared, Bryson and Hunter Andreason, Kendra Polk and Taylor Pilgrim, Ryland Bowen; her two brothers Billy Paul and Johnny, and many nieces and nephews who all loved her dearly.

Wanda is preceded in death by her husband of almost 50 years Paul Strong, son Paul Andreason, parents Paul Monroe Brown and Pearl Brown, and nephew Paul Allen Brown.