A tailor by trade, Bill Strong was born in Leeds, England on December 13, 1903. Moving to Canada in 1916, Bill settled in the West End of Toronto and excelled in many school sports, especially soccer.

Bill met his wife Pat in 1925, and they were married in the same year that Bill began a 39-year career with Eaton’s.

Bill’s bowling skills were honed in the industrial leagues that were the major leagues of the day, and he bowled in several Toronto centres. Included were McDonalds Bowling Alley at Ossington and Bloor, Roseland Bowl, Christie St. Bowl, Long Branch Bowl, Midtown Bowl and Karrys Terauley Street.

Bill’s average quickly rose to 250 at a time when a 225 mark was considered exceptional. With this skill Bill was selected for the People’s Credit Jewelers team, which included Hall of Famers, Eddie Hawkes, Charlie Demelis and Red McQuaker, along with Duke Brooks, Herb Donaldson and art Gore. This team dominated bowling for many years and won the City Championships several times. The team established a 4310 three game score which stood for a number of years. Bill was the anchor bowler on this team of bowling greats, and earned his Hall of Fame recognition through his consistency of producing the game winning shot when needed.

While dominating bowling in the Metro area, Bill and his teammates also traveled to the all-events tournaments in Kitchener-Waterloo, Peterborough and Oshawa as well as Wilf Barlow’s Good Friday tournaments at Bar Don Lanes.

Bill was a Sportsman’s Show participant in 1956, qualifying as west Toronto champion with a 2675 ten game score. Bill lost out in the qualifying process to Hal Reibel of Kitchener-Waterloo.

Bill’s bowling career continued till his passing in 1969. In later years, he was coach and manager of the Billy Bee Honey team in the City Majors and, in addition, Bill bowled for Eaton’s through the 1968-69 season.

Bill and his wife Pat had one son, Bill Jr., and to this dinner tonight we welcome both Bill and his wife Mary. The Strong family tree continues to expand as Bill and Mary have four children and six grandchildren.

Bill’s wife Pat was unable to be here tonight, but supplied us with much of our information. On behalf of everyone at this Hall of Fame Dinner, we offer our best wishes and hearty congratulations on the induction of Bill Strong to the 5 pin Bowling Hall of Fame.