William (Bill) James Truax

William (Bill) James Truax, 79, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2026, following a long illness with dementia. A devoted husband, father, veteran, and faithful servant of Christ, Bill lived a life defined by hard work, leadership, and a quiet dedication to helping others. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to William Henry and Anne-Louise Truax, Bill grew up alongside his sister, Vicki Jane. He attended Arlington Heights High School in Illinois (Class of ’64), where he excelled in swimming, football, and track—proudly earning the title of Illinois State Runner-Up in the discus in 1963. Bill attended Indiana University’s business school, graduating in 1969 with a degree in marketing. It was during his college years that he married his college sweetheart and the love of his life, Sue Ellen Butterfield, in July 1967. Upon graduation, Bill was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army through the ROTC program. Although branched as an Armor Officer, he spent his active duty service at Fort Lewis, Washington, leading Advanced Individual Training for Landmines, Demolitions, and Booby Traps. He was honorably discharged in 1972. Bill carried his work ethic into his civilian career, starting as a salesman for the H.J. Heinz Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio, where he quickly became the company's highest-grossing salesman in the state. His natural talent for sales led him to Pollack, Yeager, and Associates Insurance Firm in 1974, the same year he and Sue moved to Moreland Hills, Ohio, where they would make their home and raise their family for the next 45 years. An entrepreneur at heart, Bill spent years producing multi-image slide shows before finding his true professional calling as a direct sales and management consultant. As a trainer, his work took him to nearly every major English-speaking city across the United States and Canada, helping businesses and individuals build successful careers. Insatiably curious about the world, Bill was a passionate historian and a dedicated fan of Winston Churchill. As a member of the International Churchill Society, he shared his enthusiasm by delivering talks on Churchill’s life and legacy to audiences and any individual who wanted to hear. Beyond his professional achievements, Bill had a profound passion for serving his community. After his sons left home, Bill and Sue became certified Search and Rescue Technicians, assisting Northeast Ohio law enforcement and park rangers in locating missing individuals. Bill also served as an Auxiliary Sheriff’s Deputy in Geauga County, Ohio, working as an on-call K-9 handler. Over the years, he was rarely seen without a faithful German Shepherd by his side—notably sharing his life with three beloved dogs, each fittingly named "Gunny." In his later years, alongside his search-and-rescue work, Bill returned to his lifelong passion for track and field. A competitive athlete at heart, he qualified for several World Masters Athletics Championships in the discus, competing on the international stage in Sacramento, California, and Lyon, France. Bill was an active member of Parkside Church in Solon, Ohio, and was deeply committed to his Savior, Jesus Christ. His primary love language was acts of service. Known for doing things quietly and without fanfare, Bill took joy in blessing others and making their daily lives a little easier. In 2018, Bill and Sue traded the cold Ohio winters for the sunshine of The Villages, Florida. True to his lifelong commitment to helping others, Bill continued his volunteer service in Florida by joining the local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Sue; his two sons and their wives, Col. William James Truax, Jr. (USMC, Ret.) and Robert Bradley Truax, DO; seven cherished grandchildren; and one great-grandchild, born just three days before his passing.

William (Bill) James Truax

October 18, 1946 - July 28, 2026