William Cecil Trotman ’53

William Cecil Trotman ’53, of Winston-Salem, N.C., died Apr. 8 at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem. He was born Oct. 19, 1930, in Winston-Salem to John Cecil Trotman and Maude Bohannon Trotman. He was the youngest of five children and was preceded in death by his parents; older brother, John F. Trotman; and sisters, Elizabeth Trotman and Camille Trotman Gaylord. He is survived by his brother, Marion Jackson Trotman (Betty), 109 Sutters Place Ct., Winston-Salem, NC 27104-3900; sister-in-law, Dorothy J. Trotman; and brother-in-law, Louis W. Gaylord. He is fondly remembered by his nieces and nephews. He graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and served in the U.S. Army. He was passionate about theater and the arts and filled his life with activity on and around the stage. Bill studied with Stellar Adler at the renowned Stellar Adler Studio in New York City and worked at the Erie Playhouse in Erie, Pa. For years he designed sets and acted at the Alley Theater in Houston, Tex. In addition, he performed on Broadway, spent years in Hollywood, and owned a theater production company in Hawaii. He was the first dean of drama at the N.C. School of the Performing Arts. Later in life, he devoted much of his time to volunteer efforts at Forsyth Memorial Hospital and Old Salem. He also enjoyed travel and the celebration of life. Those who knew him will miss his generous spirit, warm smile, and acerbic wit.