BELGRADE - Lyle B. Strickland, 81, passed away quietly, with his loving wife at his side, on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, at the Augusta Rehabilitation Center, after a long illness. Lyle was born in Belgrade on July 27, 1926, the son of Joseph and Evelyn (Parker) Strickland Sr. He enjoyed his Percheron horses and enjoyed competing at pulling events at all the state fairs. In the early days, Lyle used his Percherons to twitch logs out of the woods for the lumber industry. He owned and operated Strickland Construction Co., in Belgrade, for many years and was well known throughout the community. He served several terms on the Belgrade Road Commission. Lyle was a proud member of Oakland Masonic Lodge 113 and the Belgrade Lions Club, where he served a term as King Lion. He was well known within the organizations for his bean suppers, where the beans would be buried in the ground and cooked for several hours over hot coals. One of Lyle's fondest memories was his participation in the 1976 bicentennial wagon train trip, where he drove a traditional covered wagon with his team of Percherons from Maine all the way to Valley Forge, Pa. Lyle could reminisce for hours about the sights and people he encountered along the way. Lyle was predeceased by his parents; a sister, Joanne Stetson; a brother, Joe Strickland Jr.; and a daughter, Jean Mower. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Strickland, of Belgrade; a daughter, Beth Strickland, of Skowhegan; two brothers, Harry Strickland, of Belgrade and Allen Strickland, of Hallowell; two stepsons, Robert Whittemore and his wife, Cathy, of Vassalboro and Jeff Whittemore and his wife, Julie, of Springfield, Mass.; a stepdaughter, Pamela Grant and her husband, Kevin, of Belgrade; two grandsons, Kyle and Ashley; and one great-granddaughter, Kylie. Visiting will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1 Church St., Augusta, where a celebration of his life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday. The Rev. John Dunn will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Belgrade Fire and Rescue, 54 Chandler Road, Belgrade, ME 04917, in consideration for excellent service they provided to Nancy and Lyle during his illness. www.khrfuneralhomes.com