Wilton Lorenzo Strickland

Wilton L. Strickland, 75, passed away peacefully in his Mt. Dora home, surrounded by his family, on May 1, 2018. Born in Ft. Myers, Florida, July 1, 1942 to Lorenzo and Voncile Strickland, Wilton would go on to accomplish many great things during his time here on Earth.

Wilton attended Fort Myers High School, Class of 1960, and was the first member of his family to attend college. He was a proud fraternity member of Pi Kappa Phi and graduated from the University of Florida in 1964. While in college he served in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and was accepted into the Advanced ROTC Program, reaching the rank of Cadet Major and joining the military honor society of Scabbard and Blade. Upon graduation Wilton was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and later was promoted to first lieutenant and company commander. During his service he earned his Expert Rifleman’s Badge and – after overcoming a very difficult series of tests – his Expert Infantryman’s Badge. Despite being offered a regular commission, Wilton left military service in order to pursue his even larger dream of being an attorney, but he still received the Army Commendation Medal for Exceptionally Meritorious Service. Wilton graduated from Stetson law school in 1969, thereafter moving to Fort Lauderdale and blazing a path through Florida’s legal system as an excellent trial lawyer. Wilton scored some of the first major damages awards in the nation against manufacturers of motorcycles, ATVs, and other products with unsafe designs. Wilton represented clients in all manner of cases, and he always made sure that any claims he brought were in good faith. For several years Wilton also defended the Florida News & Sun-Sentinel, believing as he did in the sanctity of free speech and freedom of the press. He received numerous awards during his career for his skill and ethics as a trial lawyer. Wilton was active in the community, and he had a generous heart and a deep faith. He served on the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army, Hospice Care, and Helping Abandoned and Dependent Youth (HANDY) in Broward County, as well as serving as a Deacon at First Presbyterian Church. A lifelong lover of books, Wilton assembled an impressive library spanning subjects such as history, science, philosophy, art, and literature.

Also a diehard Gators fan, Wilton stood by his by his beloved football team through thick and thin – when preparing to watch a big game at home, he would don his Gator sweatpants, sweatshirt and hat, while drinking from his Gators cup.

But what Wilton considered his crowning achievement was having two children, Amy and Wilton H., whom he loved with all his heart and who miss him very much. Wilton is survived by his son, Wilton Hathaway, and his daughter Amy Beth (Guy Quattlebaum); his two grandchildren Guy Everett and Emma Hathaway; his wife, Judi Dorman; his sister Carolyn (Terry Dorondo); his brother Martin Strickland; nieces Melissa DeStefano and Stephanie Elkins; and nephew Jason Strickland.

Wilton will be missed by family as well as many friends whose lives were enriched by knowing him. Tally Ho, Daddy.

Burial with Military honors will be held at 2:30 PM on Friday, June 29, 2018 at the S. Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, FL. A Celebration of his Life will be held on Sunday, July 1, 2018 (which would have been his 76th Birthday) at First Presbyterian Church, Fort Lauderdale, FL at the 11am service.