William J. ODonnell

William J. ODonnell, Jr.
William J. ODonnell, Jr. 89, of Allentown passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in his home on June 13, 2012. On October 8, 1949 he married Dorothy E. Wood to whom he was happily married for 62 years. Born in Allentown on August 29, 1922, Bill was the son of the late William J. ODonnell, Sr. and Kathryn C. (McCarthy) ODonnell. In 1927 he became a Founding Member of Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Allentown where he went on to become a member of the Parish Finance Committee, served as both a Lector and a Eucharist Minister, as well as performing duties as an altar server in his youth and his adult years. In 1940 he was graduated from Allentown Catholic High School. Upon completion of his education at the Renouard School of Embalming in New York City in March of 1942 he went on to enlist in the United States Navy in November of that year. Bill served aboard the USS Argonne in the Pacific Theatre during WWII as a Pharmacist Mate 1/c. Upon discharge in March of 1946, he returned to Allentown and continued his work with his Aunt Mary Kathryn ODonnell, Funeral Director. He was the 1948 singles tennis champion at the Irving Street Playground. In 1953, Bill opened his own Funeral Home at 908 Hanover Avenue on Allentowns East Side. He was Past President of the Holy Name Society of OLHC in Allentown. He was Past President of the former Regional Union Holy Name Societies of Lehigh and Northampton Counties when Allentown was part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Bill received the Allentown Central Catholic Fides et Veritas award in 1965. He was a Fourth Degree member of Assembly # 931 of the Knights of Columbus where he was Past Chancellor and Deputy Grand Knight of Calvary Council #528. He was the 1966 recipient of the K of C CYO Diocesan Basketball Award. In 1967 he was elected to the Allentown Charter Commission. Bill was the 1969 Knights of Columbus Golf Champion. In 1972 he received the Pope Pius X CYO award. In 1977 he was the First and Sixth Wards recipient of the Joe McCarron Memorial Hall of Fame award. In 1985 Bill received the Allentown Diocesan award for Appreciation of Time, Talent, and Energy given to the children of the Diocese of Allentown. In 1991 he was inducted into the Knights of Columbus Golf League Hall of Fame. Bill was inducted to the Allentown Central Catholic Wall of Fame in 1993 for his contributions to the youth of the Allentown Diocese. After being appointed by the late mayor Ray Bracy, he served for 23 years on the Allentown Planning Commission. Bill was the head coach of Our Lady Help of Christians CYO boys basketball team for 26 years. He won numerous championships at the league, diocesan, and state levels throughout his career. From 1973-1984 Bill served as a Program Director for the Catholic Youth Organization in the Diocese of Allentown. He was Past President of the Pennsylvania State CYO Athletic Directors. Bill and Woody were honored as the King and Queen of the 1999 St. Patricks Day Parade in Allentown. From the age of seven when Bill first visited Yankee Stadium, he was and continued to be a die hard Yankee fan. He was present in the stadium on Lou Gehrig Day and he saw Joe DiMaggios first and last games. For many years he answered his private phone Yankee Stadium Home Plate. Survivors: Surviving with his wife Woody are sons, Kevin P. and his spouse Diane of Allentown, and Brian J. and his spouse Debi of Bethlehem; daughters, Maureen wife of Robert Whitehead of Allentown, Eileen M. wife of Gerald L. Yost of Northampton, and Megan wife of Michael P. Nagle of Allen Twp. His sister Mrs. Mary Kathryn Green of Shelton, CT. Bill has 18 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He was predeceased by his grandson Jonathan L. Yost in 2005. Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday June 18, 2012 at 11 a.m. in Our Lady Help of Christians. Calling will be on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m., and on Monday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the church 444 N. Jasper St. Allentown, PA 18109.