Wilhelm Strienz (2 September 1900 – 10 May 1987) was a renowned German bass operatic singer born in Stuttgart. He made his operatic debut in 1922 at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, performing as the hermit in Weber's "Der Freischütz." Over the years, Strienz graced the stages of opera houses in Wiesbaden, Kaiserslautern, and Stuttgart, taking on roles such as Mephistopheles in Gounod's "Faust" and van Bett in Lortzing's "Zar und Zimmermann," as well as various Wagnerian characters.

From 1926 to 1933, Strienz worked with Westdeutscher Rundfunk in Cologne. Following the Nazi rise to power in 1933, he joined the S.A. and was engaged by the Berlin State Opera. He recorded songs like "Deutsch sein heißt treu sein!" and "Flieg', Deutsche Fahne Flieg'!" which contributed to his popularity on the radio, earning him the nickname Willi Strienz. In 1936, he appeared in the film "Ewiger Wald" and continued to perform in operas, including guest appearances at the Royal Opera House in London.

Strienz's notable recordings include Sarastro in the first complete recording of Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte" with the Berlin Philharmonic under Sir Thomas Beecham, and Falstaff in Nicolai's "Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor" under Artur Rother. He was celebrated for his powerful voice and interpretation, particularly in Carl Loewe's ballads "Der Nöck" and "Die Uhr."

During World War II, Strienz was a favored performer on the radio show "Wunschkonzert für die Wehrmacht," known for his rendition of "Gute Nacht, Mutter" by Werner Bochmann. He also appeared in propaganda films like "Wunschkonzert" (1940) and "Fronttheater" (1942). In 1944, Hitler included Strienz on the Gottbegnadeten list, exempting him from military service.

After the war, Strienz faced boycotts from German broadcasters due to his association with Nazi propaganda, particularly in the Soviet occupation zone. Nevertheless, he continued to tour successfully and secured a record contract with Decca. He retired from singing in 1963 and lived a private life until his death in Frankfurt am Main in 1987.