William Curtis Stramp, a 36-year-old man from Keller, Texas, disappeared in July 2022 under circumstances that left his family searching for answers for more than two years. His missing-person case was associated with Laguna Park, a small community in Bosque County, Texas, with July 21, 2022, recorded as his last-contact date in missing-person records.
However, contemporary law enforcement reports established that William, also known as Will, had last been seen by his mother at her home in Keller on July 12, 2022. The days that followed brought growing concern when his vehicle was discovered abandoned in Laguna Park. What began as a missing-person investigation would eventually lead authorities to a remote location near Whitney Dam, where a discovery in September 2024 provided a possible explanation for his disappearance.
William was born on May 29, 1986, in Houston, Texas, to Rob and Andrea Stramp. He grew up in Keller, where he attended high school and developed an exceptional talent for baseball. His athletic abilities eventually took him to Dallas Baptist University and later Lubbock Christian University, where he became a standout collegiate player. During the 2009 season, William helped lead Lubbock Christian University to the NAIA World Series championship, earning recognition as the tournament's Most Valuable Player. His remarkable performance included a. 498 batting average during the season, and his accomplishments ultimately led to his selection by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft. Beyond his accomplishments in baseball, those who knew William remembered his appreciation for nature, his friendships, and the relationships he maintained with his family.
The circumstances surrounding William's disappearance began to emerge when investigators located his white, four-door Honda abandoned at the Bosque Minimart in Laguna Park. Surveillance footage established that the vehicle had arrived at approximately 4:45 a.m. on July 13, 2022. The discovery was particularly concerning because William had been seen by his mother the previous day, and investigators were unable to establish what happened after the vehicle arrived at the convenience store. Authorities did not publicly identify anyone who had accompanied him, nor did they establish a confirmed destination after he left the vehicle. The Bosque County Sheriff's Office officially reported him missing on July 29, 2022, and began seeking assistance from the public.
As investigators attempted to locate William, authorities released information about his physical appearance to assist anyone who might have encountered him. He was described as approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 220 pounds, with multiple tattoos, including distinctive markings on his neck and face. His tattoos were particularly important identifying characteristics because they could potentially help witnesses recognize him even if he had changed clothing or his appearance. The sheriff's office encouraged anyone with information about his movements or whereabouts to contact investigators. Despite the unusual circumstances surrounding his abandoned vehicle, authorities initially stated that they were investigating his disappearance as a missing-person case and did not suspect foul play.
Over the following months and years, investigators conducted multiple searches in the Laguna Park area. The investigation remained open as authorities attempted to determine where William had gone after his vehicle was discovered. The surrounding Lake Whitney region included wooded terrain, rocky areas, and difficult-to-access locations that presented challenges for search operations. With no publicly confirmed sightings establishing William's movements after his disappearance, the uncertainty continued for his family and those who remembered him. For more than two years, the investigation produced no publicly announced discovery that definitively explained what had happened.
A significant development occurred on September 16, 2024, when employees of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers discovered what appeared to be a human bone near the base of a cliff where Whitney Dam meets the ground. After making the initial discovery, workers searched the surrounding area and located additional human remains. The location was particularly difficult to access, situated near the edge of a rock wall where thick brush and timber obstructed visibility and passage. The discovery prompted an immediate response from the Bosque County Sheriff's Office, which secured the area and began examining the scene. Investigators received assistance from the Texas Rangers and the Waco Police Department Crime Scene Unit.
As investigators examined the area, they discovered several articles of clothing and a wallet containing identification belonging to William Stramp. The discovery represented the strongest publicly reported connection between William and a physical location since his vehicle had been abandoned more than two years earlier. Authorities believed the remains could belong to him, although they emphasized that identification found near human remains was not sufficient by itself to establish the identity of the deceased. The remains were submitted for laboratory examination to obtain a positive identification. Investigators also reviewed the available evidence and information provided by William's family as they attempted to understand the circumstances that brought him to the isolated location.
Following the discovery, the Bosque County Sheriff's Office indicated that evidence recovered during the investigation, together with statements from family members, suggested William had intended to take his own life. Authorities reported that they did not suspect foul play. Nevertheless, the sheriff's office explained that the investigation remained open pending laboratory confirmation of the identity of the remains. Public reporting from September 2024 did not establish an exact date of death or provide a completed forensic determination. The remote location, the passage of time, and the circumstances surrounding the discovery made it important for investigators to distinguish between the evidence recovered at the scene and conclusions that could be independently confirmed.
William's family subsequently received notification of his passing in September 2024. His death was publicly acknowledged in an obituary published by Combest Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, bringing a heartbreaking conclusion to the prolonged uncertainty surrounding his disappearance. Although his memorial records acknowledge his death, the available public reporting does not provide the final laboratory identification findings or establish the precise date on which he died. The date of September 17, 2024, appears in memorial records, but it should not be interpreted as a confirmed date of death following his disappearance in 2022.
On October 26, 2024, a memorial service was held at Lubbock Christian University to honor William's life and accomplishments. The university remembered him as a member of its 2009 national championship baseball team, a First Team NAIA All-American, and an exceptional athlete whose achievements remained an important part of the school's history. His accomplishments on the baseball field were remarkable, but his family and friends remembered more than his athletic career. He was a cherished son, brother, grandson, and friend whose life had meaning far beyond the circumstances of his disappearance. The memorial provided an opportunity for those who knew him to recognize his achievements, share memories, and honor the relationships that had shaped his life.
The disappearance of William Curtis Stramp began with his last confirmed family sighting in Keller, Texas, in July 2022, followed by the discovery of his abandoned vehicle in Laguna Park. Despite repeated searches and an extended investigation, his whereabouts remained uncertain until September 2024, when human remains and personal belongings were discovered in an isolated area near Whitney Dam. Investigators found no evidence suggesting foul play, and his family later publicly acknowledged his death. Although the available reports leave some forensic details unresolved, the case is no longer simply the story of a missing man whose whereabouts are unknown. It is also the story of a talented athlete, a beloved family member, and a life remembered by a community that knew him long before his disappearance. William's legacy endures through the memories of those who loved him, his contributions to collegiate baseball, and the lasting impact he made during his life.Last Seen: Jul 21, 2022
