CLEAR LAKE, IOWA – William “Bill” Edward Trousdale, 70, of Clear Lake, died Monday, August 10, 2026, at his home while surrounded by his family.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, August 14, 2026, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Avenue North in Clear Lake. No funeral service, burial or final resting place has been announced.
Bill was born August 15, 1955, in Hampton to Merle Leon and Darlene Marie Benson Trousdale. His family lived in Alden before moving to Rockwell, where Bill attended school and graduated from Rockwell High School in 1973.
He married Sharon Glassel on April 23, 1977, in Grafton. The couple initially lived in Rockwell before moving to an acreage near Mason City, where they raised their three sons, Cory, Kyle and Ryan.
Bill began his career driving a semi before joining Sharon’s father and brother-in-law in the family farming operation. He spent many years working the land while also raising hogs, chickens and calves. Bill planted and harvested his final crop in 2020 before retiring.
The outdoors provided some of Bill’s greatest enjoyment. He especially loved fishing but also spent time boating, water skiing, hunting, trapping, trapshooting and target shooting. He had a strong interest in wildlife, particularly coyotes and foxes.
Bill and Sharon enjoyed camping, traveling and taking cruises together. Their trips included cruises to Alaska and Hawaii. A 2023 family vacation in Nisswa, Minnesota, became another cherished experience.
In 2016, Bill and Sharon purchased a home in Clear Lake. They remodeled the property and made it their retirement home near the lake.
Bill was known for his strong work ethic and ability to build or repair nearly anything. He also enjoyed casino outings with relatives and friends, but family remained the most important part of his life.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon; sons Cory Trousdale and his wife, Denise, Kyle Trousdale and his wife, Lindsey, and Ryan Trousdale and his wife, Ashley; grandchildren Trevor Trousdale and his wife, Abby, Serena, Bo, Lane, Reese, Bryce and Renley Trousdale; step-grandchildren Conner Morey and his wife, Kori, and Carter Morey and Ryan; step-great-grandchildren Hadley and Weston Morey; sisters Kandy Nedved and her husband, Karl, and Gina Muniz and her husband, Tony; sisters-in-law Patti Rustad and her husband, Rusty, and Teri Sorenson and her husband, Mike; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Merle and Darlene Trousdale, and parents-in-law Rufus and Doris Glassel.
Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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