William John Donahue

1931 - 2021

MT. PLEASANT -- Donahue, William John (Bill), age 89, of Mt. Pleasant -- beloved father, grandfather, uncle, teacher and director to hundreds, mentor to many and friend to all --passed away peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020.

Bill was born on Feb. 5, 1931, in Cleveland, Ohio, the youngest of six children, to Franklin Leo and Laura Pauline (Gray) Donahue.

He was doted on by his parents and his brothers and sisters, and loved spending time with the family at Euclid Beach Park, where each of them worked at various times over many years.

His interest in music began with family gatherings that always included music and singing. But it was attending a performance of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra with the Cleveland Public Schools as a child that solidified his passion for music.

His family managed to scrape together funds for clarinet lessons, despite having little to spare.

After graduating from Collinwood High School, he received a scholarship to study at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in music performance in 1953.

He was then drafted during the Korean war into the U.S. Army and, having auditioned earlier, was assigned to the West Point Band where, he says, "I spent two of the best years a guy ever spent in the service of his country."

Bill then earned his master's degree in music education from "The Mighty U of M."

After graduating, he taught high school choir in Ypsilanti, where he met and fell in love with Edith Robbins.

They married in 1961, and raised two children together before divorcing in 1983.

During this time, Bill moved to Big Rapids, where he took a job in the fall of 1964 as assistant professor of music and humanities and director of the Men's Glee Club at Ferris State College (now Ferris State University).

In 1972, he was promoted to associate professor and became conductor of the Concert Choir, Women's Glee Club, and Festival Chorus.

In 1983, he was promoted to full professor and appointed Director of Music and Coordinator of the Arts.

While at Ferris, he built lasting relationships with community members, faculty and students, many of whom thought of him as a second father. In addition to teaching, he served on various administrative committees, director of the Rankin Center Art Gallery, member of the Arts and Lectures Committee, and chairman of the Festival of the Arts for 11 years in addition to serving on it's board for three years.

A dedicated musician, he also served three years as president of the American Choral Directors Association - Michigan Chapter, and musical director for numerous productions of the University Theatre, Stage M, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and Muskegon Civic Theater. He also served as director of the Big Rapids Arts Chorale and the United Church Choir.

As a dear friend remarked upon his retirement, "he knew how to make people believe in themselves so that they went beyond their own expectations. He had a way of challenging you to do nothing but the very best."

He retired from Ferris in 1994, after which he served as conductor of the Cadillac Area Symphony Orchestra and First United Methodist Church of Mt. Pleasant Praisemakers Choir.

However, the majority of his time after retirement was spent thoroughly enjoying countless hours with his grandchildren, whom he supported, adored and cherished, attending their events in Mt. Pleasant and Santa Clarita, California.

He lived for four years with his son in California, and then moved to Mt. Pleasant for the last three years of his life.

In later years, when dementia and neuropathy diminished many of his abilities, his love of family, music, the arts, and his boyish grin and sense of humor remained. He will be remembered for all of these, as well as his blue Irish eyes, and enthusiastic, warm and loveable personality.

His memory will be cherished and kept alive by his children, F. Wesley (Wes) Donahue, of Santa Clarita, California, and Lisa Selene (Lary) Sheffert, of Mt. Pleasant; grandchildren, Megan Elise Donahue, of Santa Cruz, California, Allison Lane Smith, of Brooklyn, New York, Riley William Smith, of Columbus, Georgia, and Daniel William Donahue of Santa Clarita, California; two step-grandchildren, Emma and Keaton Sheffert; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his dear parents and siblings, Amelia Donahue Lamareaux Vorel, Franklin Leo Donahue Jr., Mary Donahue Corry, Robert John Donahue, Lois Ann Donahue Knox; and several nieces and nephews.

Bill's family would like to thank the care team at Isabella County Medical Care Facility for their expert and loving care during the last part of Bill's life, as well as extended family, Ferris friends, and church friends who visited so often.

A memorial service will take place at a later date to celebrate a life well-lived and the many lives Bill touched.

Memorial contributions may be made to the William J. Donahue Vocal Music Endowed Scholarship and directed to: Ferris Foundation, 420 Oak Street, Big Rapids, MI 49307.

To express condolences, please visit clarkfuneralchapel.com.