Memorial

Bill Brousard, 86, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2024, with his family by his side. A graveside service and celebration of life will be held at a later date. 

Bill was born in Iowa City, on December 4th, 1937, and lived his life in Cedar Rapids. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1956, and excelled in athletics, with baseball being his passion. After high school, Bill received his undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Iowa State Teachers College. Later, he earned his Master’s Degree in School Administration from the University of Iowa. His entire 37-year career was spent with the Cedar Rapids Community School District, serving as both a teacher and elementary school principal. One of his proudest accomplishments was helping start the English as a Second Language program in the school district. Bill loved his career, the students, and the staff he worked with. As he always reminded his family, “I don’t have to go to work, I get to go to work.”

Bill married Barbara Swim in 1960, and together they have three children, Dave Brousard (Kelly), Jim Brousard, and Kris Koeppen (Jim). They also have five grandchildren: Anna Brousard-Denny (Alex), Kerry Brousard, Sydney Koeppen, Liz Koeppen, Emma Koeppen, and one great-grandchild, Nile Denny. Bill’s family was his greatest source of joy, and he was proud of them. In his younger years his favorite times were those spent with his wife and kids on trips to Maine to visit his sister-in-law, Joan Weaver and her husband, Steve, and their two daughters. Family camping trips to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, with Barb and the kids, were an annual destination each Summer. In his retirement, Bill and Barb spent time each Winter in Orange Beach, AL at their favorite resort on the ocean, where they enjoyed having their children and grandchildren visit them.

In addition to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchild, he is also survived by a sister, Judy Jacobson, and a special longtime childhood friend, Chuck Dostal. 

Bill was proceeded in death by his parents, Ted and Bernece Brousard.

Bill was a football and basketball official for 35 years, and was inducted into the Iowa High School Officials Hall of Fame. He loved volunteering for Special Olympics and developed a bond with many of the athletes. He also enjoyed fishing later in life, and loved spending time and sharing stories with his officiating, fishing, and high school buddies, whom he considered his best friends. 

Bill was a member of St Paul’s United Methodist Church.

The family would like to thank the Gardens of Cedar Rapids and Unity Point Hospice, for all their wonderful care.

As a lifelong educator and avid sports fan, Bill loved to see people with special needs be provided the opportunity to compete and have pride in their accomplishments. Any memorials made to his family will be donated to the Iowa Special Olympics.