Bill E. Stroud

Bill E. Stroud, named Billie Elbert at birth, died peacefully November 19, 2022 with his loving family at his side. He was born to Opal (Wade) Stroud and Elbert White Stroud on January 22, 1937 in Morrilton, Ark.  He moved to Michigan as a young teen when his father came north to secure a job. He graduated from Plymouth High School in 1954 and then earned his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1964.  In the intervening 10 years, he worked for Daisy Rifle Company and enlisted in the Air National Guard.  He then went on to the Air Force Pilot Training Program but chose, instead, a career on the ground in computers. He worked for various tech companies in the Detroit and Toledo areas before finally retiring from Compuware. He was a member of the Caterpillar Club, the Lenawee Co. Conversation League and was an avid ham radio operator for more than 60 years, having obtained an Extra Class License. W8NY is now a silent key.  

He married Glenna Gerow in 1963, becoming the first couple to be married in the newly-built Darlington Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor. The couple enjoyed 59 years together. Bill trained for and then ran in the Belle Isle Marathon in Detroit in 1980. Having restored and preserved two historic homes in Tecumseh, the couple built their timber frame home up north on Lake Huron, where Bill enjoyed even the snowiest winter. Although they lived in Tecumseh, where they were members of Grace Lutheran Church, they spent as much time “up north” as possible.

Bill is survived by his wife, Glenna. Left to miss his undying support and dry sense of humor are daughters Julie (Jamie) Nicholson of Fort Wayne, and their children, Riley (Luke) Delp of Indiana and Reed Nicholson of Texas; and Paula (Rick) Holtz and their children, Piper and Clay, all of Tecumseh. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Patricia Vogel, and niece, Elizabeth Vogel, along with treasured friends, Don and Louise Kleinsmith. Bill was the ultimate family man and served as the go-to tech person for family and friends alike. He was a lover of animals and a life-long learner who was currently contemplating learning a new language at the time of his passing. He was a legend in the minds of family and friends and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

At Bill’s request, there will be no service. Family burial will be private at a later date. Memorial contributions can be sent to the Lenawee County Humane Society. Arrangements are under the care of the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be offered to the family at handlerfuneralhomes.com.