William Donaldson

Donaldson, William
William (Bill) Henry Donaldson, 74, son of the late Laverne and Annie Bell (Hill) Donaldson died quietly on Sunday, June 14, 2020. He was married to, Joy Ward Donaldson for more than 50 years. Born in Wilmington, NC, Bill lived in the New Haven area for more than 70 years.
Bill studied as a machinist and graduated from Eli Whitney Technical High School where he was captain of the basketball team. After graduation, he served 3 years in the U.S. Army. Upon returning from a tour of duty in Vietnam, Bill began work at the UI Company moving up from meter reader to plant accounting analyst. While working at UI, he graduated from Post College in Waterbury, with Associate's Degrees in Economics and Business. He retired from UI after 42 years.
A longtime member of the Dixwell Avenue Congregational UCC, Bill served on the finance and missionary boards and sang with the Men's Chorus. He was a life member of the New Haven N.A.A.C.P chapter, a 33-degree mason affiliated with Oriental Lodge #6 and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
A man of enormous and varied artistic talents, Bill taught himself to play various musical instruments including the recorder, ukulele and didgeridoo. He painted, made carvings from wood and wax, created collages -- and for many of his final years -- was a jewelry maker. He spent hours researching his family genealogy, tracing his North Carolina roots back multiple generations.
Bill is survived by his wife, Joy; daughters: Dena of Waterbury, Kimberly of Bridgeport, Erin (William) Duskin of West Haven; and grandson William George Duskin. Bill's life is celebrated by his brother, Lewis Donaldson of Detroit, MI; and, brother-in-law, Archbishop George O. (Linda) Ward of North Las Vegas, NV. He leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and lifelong friends including Larry (Julia) Johnson of South Dennis, MA; Clifton (Sandra) McClure of Hamden, CT; and, goddaughters Nina Palmer of Katy, TX, and Dr. Latrese Kimball Brown of Baltimore, MD. Bill was predeceased by his brothers James and Milton Donaldson.
Thanks to all for your prayers and special thanks to Solomon Maye of Get 'Em Boys Boxing for helping to strengthen Bill's body and mind. Friends are invited to join the family on Juneteenth from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Hamden Memorial Funeral Home, 1300 Dixwell Ave., Hamden, CT. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2020, 10:30 a.m. at New Pine Grove Cemetery located at 850 Meriden Road, Waterbury, CT. Condolences may be expressed at hamdenmemorialfuneralhome.com.