"The Truth About Love..."

Percy "Roy" Strickland and William Wynkoop

Together in love for 53 years

Love is an abstract noun, something nebulous. And yet love turns out to be the only part of us that is solid, as the world turns upside down and the screen goes black. We can't tell if it will survive us. But we can be sure that it's the last thing to go.

- Martin Amis

Roy and William met on a park bench in Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village, New York City on December 19, 1949. They began to talk, Roy asked William if he wanted to have a beer at a local gay bar, they went home together at the end of the night, and the rest was history.

Both of their families knew of their relationship and came to accept it. The couple would even go on boat trips with Roy’s dad, who loved William. This was particularly meaningful to Roy, who was a survivor of hormonal treatment from his older sister in an attempt to “cure” his sexuality before she finally accepted him.

Roy and William spent their life together fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and advocating for others. Some of their work included participating in the “Great Wed-In” at Bryant Park in New York City on June 16, 1996, appearing on television and in dozens of articles, and doing volunteer work. In their free time they loved to travel, especially to the UK, and read to one another in the mornings and before bed.

Roy and William remained together for 53 years until William’s death in May 2003. Roy died two months later. They are now buried at Greenwood Cemetery in New Jersey.