James W. "Jim" Strauser

James W. "Jim" Strauser, age 77, passed away, Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Valley Baptist Hospital in Harlingen, TX. Funeral services are 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at Wells Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow in Forrest Memorial Park in Batesville, MS. The family will receive friends Monday evening, February 23, 2015 from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. at Wells Funeral Home. Jim was born May 17, 1937 in Obion County, TN to the late Emil Jay and Florence Dean Moore Strauser. A graduate of Humes High School, he was one of the original body guards for Elvis A. Presley. In 1959, Mr. Strauser joined the Memphis Fire Department (MFD). Through his 25 years of tenure with MFD, he was involved in saving many lives. Several years after joining the department, he was invited to attend FBI arson training classes, where he excelled. Applying this knowledge, in combination with experience, he continued to make arrests, obtain convictions and remove many known arsonists from the Memphis and Tri-State area. Furthermore, he was in attendance in the M.L. King assasination investigation. He was a standing member of ACRE and continued supporter of Memphis Fire Department activities. He was a remarkable person and best friend for many. In his early adulthood, Jim enjoyed quail hunting, and after retirement, he loved traveling and working in his shop. Over the last ten years, Jim and wife, Billie, enjoyed staying in south Texas during the winter months. His loving memory will be cherished by his wife, Billie C. Strauser of Como, MS; daughter, Terry Strauser of Somerville, TN; son, James T. Strauser of Millington, TN; two step-daughters, Jo Ann Simmons of Oxford, MS, Gayelyn Holland of Pontotoc, MS; step-son, Douglas Joy of Batesville, MS; sister, Betty Jean Wilson of Enid, MS; 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.