William Donnelly

October 30, 1921 – September 4, 2010

Bill Donnelly was born to Frank Donnelly and Margaret Bernard Donnelly in McMinnville, Oregon. He was the second of six children and worked on the family farm. He was the first in his family to graduate from college, the University of Portland, where he met Rita Mae Salmon, a nursing student. He was stationed in Iceland during World War II and married Rita in 1945. They made their home and raised six children in Milwaukie, Oregon until 1960, when the family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii. They returned to Portland in 1965.

Bill worked for Standard Insurance Company from 1945 until his retirement in 1986. He died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

He was preceded in death by his sisters Katherine Donnelly, Eileen Donnelly, Patricia Devlin and Dorothy Johnston and his son David Donnelly. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Rita Donnelly; his brother Jim Donnelly; his children Russ Donnelly, Jill Schneider, Laurel Donnelly, Luke Donnelly and Hugh Donnelly; his grandchildren Coby Schneider, Erik Schneider, Kelly Ayres, Taylor Donnelly, Adrienne Allaert, Carson Donnelly, Bryce Richardson and Walker Donnelly; and four great-granddaughters, Rita June, Vaughn, Zahra and Kayla.

He will be remembered by his family as a loving husband and wonderful father.

Funeral arrangements are private. In lieu of flowers, remembrance may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements under the direction of Caldwell's, Hennessey, Goetsch & McGee Funeral Home, Portland, OR.