Willard E. "Will" McDonald

Willard E. "Will" McDonald obituary, Chattanooga, TN

Willard E. "Will" McDonald

Willard McDonald Obituary

Visit the Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Services - East Brainerd Chapel website to view the full obituary.
Willard (Will) Ernest McDonald, 69, of Chattanooga went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he was raised in Arlington, Virginia, moving in 1985 to the North Georgia and Chattanooga area.

He was a 1978 graduate of ETSU.

Will spent many years in Broadcasting having worked for Local News 3, WKPT in Kingsport, TN, WBKO in Bowling Green, KY, KTLA in Shreveport, LA and Channel 6 in Knoxville, TN.

He also worked in the Media Dept. for Lee University and Chattanooga State Community College for several years and worked for 18 years in the Education Dept., for Memorial Hospital.

Will was a member of Battlefield Parkway Church of the Nazarene.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Miller Baird McDonald and Lois Fox McDonald.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Patti Blevins McDonald; children, Daniel (Ashley) McDonald, Ringgold, GA, Ashley (Josh) Herren, Woodland, AL, and Nicholas (Angela) McDonald, Chattanooga, TN; 6 grandchildren, Piper Reeve, Bailey McDonald, Brooklyn McDonald, Victoria Reeve, Emilee McDonald, and Parker McDonald; sister, Katie (David) Morris, Murfreesboro, TN; brothers, Marty (Carolyn) McDonald, Knoxville, TN, and Miller (Sally) McDonald Jr., Ft. Myers, FL; many special nieces and nephews also survive.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Battlefield Parkway Church of The Nazarene in Fort Oglethorpe, GA. with Pastor Joe Brown officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Battlefield Parkway Church of The Nazarene Building fund or to St Jude Children's Research Hospital.

You may share condolences with the family at www.heritagechattanooga.com

Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd
Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Services - East Brainerd Chapel

7454 E. Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421

Make a Donation
in Willard McDonald's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

Plan and Price a Funeral

Create a funeral plan and price estimate in less than 5 minutes.

How to support Willard's loved ones
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Poems of Mourning and Comfort

The best poems for funerals, memorial services, and cards.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief

Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
Ways to honor Willard McDonald's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sponsored

Plan and Price a Funeral

Create a funeral plan and price estimate in less than 5 minutes.