Obituary: William “Bill” P. Trost

February 13, 1935 ~ February 6, 2023

William “Bill” P. Trost peacefully died on February 6, 2023, at the age of 87. Proud father of William (Sharon) Trost, Jr., Dr. Gregory (Dr. Beth) Trost, Christopher Trost, and Dr. Jeffrey (Sarah) Trost. Loving grandfather of Nathan and Samantha; Taryn (Patrick), Cheyne and Bryce; Jeffrey, Rachael (Karsten), and Hannah; and great-grandfather of Riot. Further survived by his former wife, Barbara (Patrick) Regan, his beloved golden retrievers, Bear and Daisy, other loving relatives, and many dear friends.

Bill was born February 13, 1935 in Milwaukee, WI to William M. and Viola H. Trost. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Thomas and Robert. Bill was a proud graduate of Shorewood High School (1953) and the General Motors Institute, Flint, MI. He spent the first fourteen years of his career as an officer with Marine Bank in Milwaukee before venturing out on his own. Over the next 28 years, he would own and operate over a dozen successful retail clothing and jewelry businesses in Aspen and Vail, CO, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Fish Creek, WI. Upon retirement, Bill split his time between the Florida Keys and Door County, WI, before settling in the Milwaukee area.

Bill was a sharp-witted man of many skills who gave generously of his time and talents over his long and rich life. When not running his businesses, reading the latest bestseller, or trying to catch the next “prize fish,” Bill could be found spending quality time with family and friends, volunteering for cherished causes, mentoring young entrepreneurs, puttering in his workshop, or building yet another home. In his final years, Bill took enormous pride in raising and showing two generations of champion golden retrievers. 

Bill may be gone, but he will not be forgotten. Family and friends will greatly miss his love, free spirit, sense of humor, and generosity. Bill was his own man and lived life with no regrets and no apologies.

The family thanks the entire staff at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital and Lawlis Hospice in Mequon, for the loving and compassionate care Bill and they received. 

Private family services will be held. Memorials in Bill’s memory may be made to G.R.R.O.W. (Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin, Inc.) https://grrow.org/donate/ or to OccuPaws Guide Dog Association https://occupaws.org/how-to-help/donate/ or to Morris Animal Foundation https://morrisanimalfoundation.salsalabs.org/makeagift/index.html