William Clarence McNamara

Born January 4, 1948 in Toledo, Ohio to Dr. Clarence and Anne McNamara as the 4th of their eight children, Bill learned early the values of family, loyalty and compassion he would carry with him throughout his life.

Bill attended high school at Campion Jesuit in Wisconsin where his love of music, singing and photography flourished. He played his banjo in a band friends formed, marched in ROTC with his clarinet, and was the photographer for the school newspaper and yearbooks.

After high school, he attended Regis College in Denver, CO. before transferring to Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and receiving a degree as a Funeral Director and Embalmer in 1969. That same year Bill married the love of his life, Joan, and together they built a life filled with love, laughter and adventure as they moved around the country with their children, Michael, Katie and Patrick.

Licensed in four states, Bill initially served as a Funeral Home and Cemetery Manager at various locations in those states, until being promoted to District and Regional Officer in three Industry Corporations over his career: IFS, SCI, and ECI.

Throughout his extensive career, Bill’s active involvement in community and industry organizations won him numerous awards and lead to many public speaking engagements.

Affectionately known to many as “Mac”, he had a quick wit, a folder full of jokes, and a talent for magic tricks that brought a smile to all who experienced his enthusiasm for his passion.

With his children settled in the Seattle area in the early 2000’s, Bill “semi-retired” to WA. where he worked in both the Federal and District Court systems, as well as in disaster relief for FEMA and DeMort International in Puerto Rico. He worked as a part-time on call Funeral Director at Seattle area SCI Funeral Homes until finally retiring in 2020.

William is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers; Michael, Daniel, Robert, Martin, and his sister Peggy. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joan; his children: Michael (Heather) Seattle, WA., Kathryn McNamara Mulholland (Brian) Stevensville, MT., Patrick (Lora) Portland, OR. and his sisters Anne (McNamara) Romain and Teresa McNamara of Ellenton, FL. and his grandchildren who he so cherished : William and Elizabeth McNamara, Jake, Sam, and Abby Cowden, and Danielle Mulholland.

If you would like to honor Bill’s memory in a special way, his family suggests a donation to Tenderly Hospice in his name for their loving care of him at 7150 SW Hampton St. #200, Tigard, Oregon 97223