Donnelly, Wilfred 'Bill' Joseph

Wilfred “Bill” Joseph Donnelly, formerly of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011, at Don and Marilyn Anderson Hospice Care in Madison, Wis. A funeral mass at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, along with interment at Mount Calvary Cemetery, will be held at a later date. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Kay of Madison, Wis.; son, Tom (Nancy) of Cedar Rapids; son, Tim of Madison, Wis.; son, Terry (Donna) of Madison, Wis; and a daughter, Lisa Donnelly Angell of Mount Prospect, Ill.; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary Donnelly; brothers, James, Thomas and John; a sister, MaryAnn Donnelly Parret; a daughter, Mary Lane Donnelly; and a granddaughter, Tatem Donnelly.

Bill was born on March 14, 1918, in Cascade, Iowa. He and Kathryn Margaret Renk were united in marriage on Jan. 22, 1945, at Sacred Heart Church in Monticello, Iowa. Shortly after World War II, having served seven years in the United States Navy and discharged with the rank of chief petty officer, he and Kay moved to Cedar Rapids. They raised their four children and made numerous and longtime friends. Bill worked at Culver Motors as parts/service manager in Cedar Rapids before joining and ultimately retiring from the Post Office in 1983.

He and Kay moved to Madison, Wis., in 2001 to be closer to their son, Terry and his family. Nothing made Bill's Irish eyes smile more than being with family, friends and reminiscing about growing up in Cascade. His 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren were a great source of pride and joy to him. He leaves them with countless happy memories and the chance to tell of the times spent with their Grandpa Bill. During his years as a husband and father he gave his family unconditional love, encouragement, a set of values to live by and always led by example. His faith in God and mankind was unwavering. Bill will be missed forever but never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory can be made to St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids; or Camp Courageous, Monticello, Iowa.

Published in The Gazette Oct. 12, 2011.