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William McDonald Obituary
Visitation will begin with a rosary at 5:30 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m. tonight, May 19, at St. Mark's Catholic Church, 3736 Lee's Summit Road, Independence. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, at the church, with burial following at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Bill was born February 13, 1932, in Kansas City, Mo., to Gordon and Sadie McDonald. He was a graduate of De La Salle High School. Bill was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and a Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He was a member of the 110th Engineers National Guard for 13 years.
Bill began his career as a Roller Skating Instructor in 1952. He managed the B&G Roller Rink and in 1957, Bill and Dorothy became owners of the rink. In 1965, a new rink was built in Independence, named B&D. This was one of several rinks that he built in the Kansas City area. Bill was named a Life Member and Hall of Fame Member of the National Roller Skating Association of America and a 50 Year Member of the National Roller Skating Association of America. Bill was a member of St. Mark's Catholic Church since its beginning in the early 1960s. St. Mark's used the Roller Skating Rink for Church for 2 1/2 years, while the church was being built.
Bill was an Independence City Councilman for 12 years. He previously served 11 years of the Independence Planning Commission and served on Mid-America Regional Council for 12 years. Bill received the Mid-America Regional Council 2002 Regional Leadership Award.
Bill is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy; daughters, Mary Ellen Hughes (Edward) and Elizabeth Marie O'Neal (Robert); grandchildren, Brittany Marie and Bailey Elizabeth O'Neal and Sean Joseph and Meredith Cecilia Hughes.
In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1038, Independence, MO 64050 or to St. Mark's Church.
Online condolences to www.mcgilleysheil.com.
Arrangements: McGilley & Sheil Chapel, Kansas City, 816-353-6555.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William McDonald
Sponsored by McGilley & Sheil Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
Charles and Jeanne Caine
May 11, 2021
We think of the good times with Bill and Dorothy most every week. We had many wonderful times together starting at B&G Rolladium. I walk by the picture taken of the wedding shower held there more than 65 years ago that hangs in the hall of our home. We Love you Dorothy and family.
Charles and Jeanne Caine
May 11, 2019
Bill was a great guy and true and loyal friend for many many years we miss him so much and love that family For over 50 years we had regular visitation, marriages in our families and so many wonderful memories will miss him until we see him again in heaven
Brooke Soptic
March 28, 2018
I am sorry that I am just now hearing of Bill's passing after so many years. My mother, Ranae (King) Soptic always spoke fondly of her time spent skating and competing at B&D and Bill's kindness. Rest In Peace.
June 28, 2015
one unselfish giving n caring gentleman
June 1, 2015
I also lived at the rink for many years. Dorothy it's Renee Chaney and I cherish all my memories from the rink! My love goes out to you and your family. It was a long time ago but my heart is with you.
Dianna Thompson
May 25, 2015
I lived at the rink. Bill and the McDonald family was like a second family to me. Thank u so much for everything u did for the youth then. Wish there were more people like u now
Gene Glover & family
May 22, 2015
Bill was a great guy & he will be missed by many. Thoughts & prayers for his family.
Peggy Young
May 20, 2015
Bill will certainly be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Patty (Orwick) Pierce
May 20, 2015
So sorry for your loss and the community's loss of such a kind man. We attended St Mark's along with the McDonald family and I do remember attending Mass at the skating rink while our Parish was under construction. Thank you to the McDonald family for some of the best memories of many weekends at the rink. I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. Deepest sympathy.
Bill, Dorothy with a new crop of skaters. About 1975
Ward Holman
May 20, 2015
Thank you Bill, for being an inspiration, skating teacher, and a nice guy. Best wishes to your loving family.
Catherine Lalla
May 19, 2015
So sorry for your loss! My sisters Nancy Lalla and Michele Lalla I as big sis took them every weekend then I had dates there also as I grew I took my children there also with Sycamore Hill room moms and Truman teens I took mine there also my St Marks Catholic Church is my home church as a grad of Truman High School we all loved Bill ! So thanks for the memories!!!
Michael and Pat Jacques
May 19, 2015
One of my most beloved skating family members. I will miss him dearly but rejoice in the memories I have of him and his wonderful family. Bless you all and may God
give you all the strength to carry on his legacy.
Karie Holt
May 19, 2015
Sorry for Ur family's lose my grandpa Shorty worked at b and d
Bill & Betty Knight
May 19, 2015
Dorothy & Family--Bill and I have such wonderful memories of you and Bill at the MARC/NARC conferences in DC. (Your) Bill loved ice cream that we ALL enjoyed and (my) Bill still talks about all the churches you showed him and how he had such a hard time keeping up with you! (Your) Bill was such a good regional friend and a great example of how we all could work together in the KC Region. You all are in our thoughts and prayers!
Betty Knight (Former Platte County Presiding Commissioner)
Nanette Irwin-Park
May 19, 2015
Dear Dorothy & Family,
I am so very sad about Bill's passing. I learned to skate under his guidance and spent many of afternoons in his presence. So Thankful for the role model. Wishing you peace in your wonderful memories of your Husband & Father. Thank You for sharing him all those many years.
Kristi Atchley
May 19, 2015
B&G, B&D and the McDonald family were a huge part of my childhood! Mr. McDonald was such a gentle and kind man to all who knew him. My sympathies to Dorothy and the entire family - my prayers are with you.
Kristi (Kubli) Atchley
brim
May 19, 2015
The brim family sends their love
May 19, 2015
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I am here for you Dorthy, as you and Bill were for me when Sammy died. May God Bless you and your family. Joyce Watson
May 19, 2015
I started taking skating lessons at B&G and then the Saturday afternoon skating sessions. When B&D opened on Noland Road we started skating every Friday evening. Many fond memories of Bill and Dorothy. Sending heartfelt sympathy to Dorothy, the girls and family.
Cheryl (Brandt) Peck
May 19, 2015
Bill was obviously a wonderful man in many ways. I am so sorry for his passing so suddenly. I send prayers for all.
William J. "Bill" McDonald
May 19, 2015
Dear Dorothy, My heart breaks for you & your family in the loss of Bill..........He was such a great man & servant to God & mankind.....He will be missed by all who lives he touched..
My first meeting with Bill was when I was 12 years old in 1953...He scared the ibee-jebbies out of me, he was so big & had a gruff voice with us (his class)..Later to learn he was as gentle as a new born kitten..I was Bill's student for 5 yrs.. Bill was like a big brother to me & many others in my class.. I for one will miss him just as if he were my brother........Hugs & much love, Marilyn (Harmon) Rickman.........
Lyn Turner
May 19, 2015
I've known Bill since I was 8 years old (1953) he was my friend, my pretend brother and stand in father. A trusted confidant, advisor, spritual guide, and skate instructor. I will miss him greatly. I will keep Dorothy, Mary and Beth in my thoughts and prayers and when possible tell them of all the wonderful things their husband and father did for me.
May 19, 2015
Dorothy: We are sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Kathy and I remember you both skating at the roller rink in Fairmount..We also have great memories of you, Mary Margaret and George growing up on Brookside ..Please accept our condolences. '
Sally Reeder Bell and Kathy Reeder Myers.
Micky Letcher
May 19, 2015
I am so sorry to hear about Bill's passing. I will always be grateful for the opportunity he and Dorothy gave me years ago to coach in their rinks and eventually manage the Blue Springs rink. He was a great man and will be missed by all of us. My deepest sympathy to his entire family.
Tony Bell
May 19, 2015
My prayers to you Dorothy and your family. Tony Bell
Barbara Vandersys-Billings
May 19, 2015
My heart goes out to the family, you will be in my prayers. It was such an honor to have met Bill and Dorothy. My folks loved you both so much. My dad was probably there at the gates to meet him.
Fernando Umbarila
May 19, 2015
Dear Beth & Family,
I'm very sorry to hear about the unexpected loss of your father. My deepest condolences to you and your family. My prayers are for you to find the strenght to go through this hard time.
Fernando Umbarila - Sprint
Meg Eyssell
May 19, 2015
We are so sorry to hear about Bills passing. Mom and I have very fond memories of him. He was a great guy. We will remember all of your family in our prayers.
Bettie & Meg
May 19, 2015
Mrs. McDonald, I was so saddened to hear of Bills passing. We did not know him well, but what we did know that he was a fine gentleman to everyone in our office. Prayers for you and your family. The staff at Jewish Vocational Service in Independence-Diana, Ruth and Lauria
May 19, 2015
Dear Dorothy and family, my cousin who lives in Independence sent me the link to Bill's obituary and I am sorry to hear of his death. Although I only knew him when he was the pro at the B&G, I remember you both with fondness. He was a good man and in reading about his life, it seems he continued to be so for his whole life. May God bless you and all the family in this time of grief. Love, Marsha Mowder Myers in Salida, Colorado
May 19, 2015
Dear Dorothy & family, What a shock to hear of Bill's passing at Mass Sunday. Lots of good memories went through our minds looking back. Your girls babysitting for our kids, the first Masses at St Mark's being held at your roller rink, how we all sat up chairs, etc. and of course music was big in all these memories as well. Bill & you did a LOT for our community & Parish. We always held you in high esteem. Thank you for all you've done over the years. May Bill rest in peace. Blessings, Jim & Mary Jane Bertoncin
Greg & Denise Pearson
May 19, 2015
Dear Dorothy and family,
So very sorry to learn of Bill's passing.
What a treasured life he had. The two of you are very special to our family.
So many great memories.
Please know you are in our thoughts and
prayers.
Much love to you all!!
Greg and Denise Pearson
May 19, 2015
Prayers for your family
Kathy Twitchell
Girl Scouts and TAG sister
Nicole Tessitore
May 19, 2015
Dear Beth & Family,
I'm very sorry to hear the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God carry you through this difficult time.
Nicole Tessitore - Sprint
Mike & Robbin Fleming
May 18, 2015
Dear Dorothy and Family,
I was so saddened today to hear of the loss of Bill. Out of the years of memories I have with being on the the Board and at the RSROA/RSA conventions, talking to Bill was one of my favorites. I was so excited to see him a few years ago. Like all the wonderful people we lose who in our lives, we all cherish the memories of the past but look forward to seeing them again in eternity. May God give you peace and comfort at this time.
Michael and Robbin Fleming & Family
Ron & Kay Beaman
May 18, 2015
Thinking of you and the family, Dorothy. Many good memories.
Charlie & Jeanne Caine
May 18, 2015
Dorothy, Mary Ellen and Beth.
We feel almost like family since our friendship spans 60+ years and we cherish all of the time and memories generated in that time. Know that we loved Bill like a brother and your family is very close to ours. We will miss Bill but are so glad to have been his friend for so long.
Janet Herman Franklin
May 17, 2015
Of course my favorite memory of Bill was the many years I spent at B&D in my youth. One thing I will never forget, my Mom had one of my Birthday parties at the rink, and one of my gifts was an autograph book for people to sign at the party. I have no idea were the book is, but I will always remember what Bill wrote in my book, "Yours till the Cows come home"! I feel blessed to have been around Bill and Dorothy at many parties and functions overs the years, Independence is going to lose a truly genuine, funny and caring Man. Rest in Peace Bill. Dorothy my Love you and the family. Janet Herman Franklin
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