William Donohue

Bill died peacefully surrounded by his family on January 24th; just eight days shy of his 90th birthday. Graveside services will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 25, 2013 at Arlington National Cemetery.

Born February 2, 1923, in Royersford, PA, Bill was the youngest child of Joseph V. and Elsie (Green) Donohue. After high school graduation in 1942, he was drafted and sent to flight school. Stationed in Grafton Underwood, England with the 384th Bomb Group in 1944, he flew 31 B-17 missions, including 3 on D Day and 2 over Berlin. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters.

During the Korean Conflict, Bill was the personal pilot for Lt. Gen. James Van Fleet, the United Nations commander in Korea and was decorated by Syngman Rhee, president of the Republic of Korea, for his service.

After his tour in England, Bill met and married Bobbie V. Phillips in 1945. During their 52 years together they had three daughters: Linda D. Wren, Elizabeth A. Ehrsam (Les), both of Plano, and Tracy Vaught (Jimmy) of Austin. Because of Bill's military service, the family lived in many locations in the United States and abroad. Bill retired in 1970 and settled in Plano, Texas.

After Bobbie's death in 1997, Bill married Elfriede Fesak, his high school sweetheart. They moved to Boynton Beach, Florida. The couple moved to Austin, Texas in 2009 to be closer to family. Elfriede died soon afterward.

Last fall, Bill was a participant in the first Honor Flight from Austin to Washington D.C. He was accompanied by his grandson, Bryan Ehrsam. The group was taken to the WWII Memorial as well as other historic sites in the city. Bill talked about the trip for weeks afterward.

Bill is survived by his three daughters; his grandchildren Bryan Ehrsam , Laura Slagle, Blythe Barajas, Katherine Vaught, and Libby Vaught; six great-grandchildren; his niece Barbara Cutillo; and his step-children George Fesak and Beth Lyons.

The family wishes to thank the staff and residents of The Summit at Westlake for their unfailing support and kindness throughout Bill's final journey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.