Obituary of William "Bill" Trudgen

William Trudgen passed away Friday, August 27, 2010 in Jackson at the age of 79 years. He was born July 15, 1931 to Robert and Gladys (Truscott) Trudgen in Sutter Creek, CA. Bill was a star quarterback at Sutter Creek High School, where he graduated in 1949--the last graduating class for Sutter Creek High. Bill attended Chico State for a year before joining the U.S. Navy to serve our country during the Korean War. He was a parachute rigger and a tailgunner until he contracted polio while stationed in the Phillippines. After being told he would never walk again, Bill resumed his education on the G.I. Bill. By 1957, he earned his Bachelor's degree in Accounting at San Jose State and was walking with the assistance of leg braces. He found accounting work in San Francisco with Tidewater Oil Company (later known as Getty Oil), and moved to Los Angeles when the company relocated. While living in L.A. he shed the leg braces, and in 1959 he met Pat Smith, a statistician who was substituting on his bowling team. They were married in 1960 in Petaluma, CA. The newlyweds made their home in the Los Angeles area for 25 years. During that time, he worked as Controller and eventually Vice President with American Cement. Wanting to raise his son where he grew up, Bill moved his family back to Amador County in 1981, when, as he put it, he "semi-retired." His most recent employment was with the Amador County Assessor's office, but for years beyond that he was still doing income taxes for family and friends. With Amador County roots dating back four generations, Bill loved the history of the county and could tell a story about every family, every piece of land, and every significant or funny event that took place in this county he loved so much. He was a proud father who always supported his young son Bobby in sports, academics, and music. For Bobby and many of his friends, Bill served as chauffer, role model, and even disciplinarian. As a former athlete and lifelong sports fan, his following of the San Francisco Giants dated back to 1951, while he was stationed in New Jersey and the Giants were playing in New York. His love of football ran even deeper, and his team had been the 49ers since their inception in 1946. His true love, however, was found in friends and family. His kindness, generosity, work ethic, toughness, and sense of humor touched and inspired anyone who was lucky enough to know him. He was a member of Native sons of the Golden West. This past February, Bill and Pat celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Patricia Trudgen of Sutter Creek and son, Robert Trudgen of Sacramento. Friends are invited to attend a memorial mass Friday, September 3, 2010, 11:00 A.M. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sutter Creek. Inurnment will be in the Sutter Creek Catholic Cemetery in Sutter Creek, CA. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Amador and Calaveras Counties, P.O. Box 595, Jackson, CA 95642, A-PAL, P.O. Box 190, Jackson, CA 95642, or the charity of the donor's choice. Condolences may be sent to the family via e-mail at condolences@danerimortuary.com