William Michael "Bill" DONAHUE

1933 - 2024

William "Bill" Michael Donahue, age 90, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2024.

He was born in Spokane, Washington on November 9, 1933, to Harry Lloyd Donahue and Marcy Joan Rupe. Bill lived his childhood days in a home on Alice Street at the bottom of the Monroe Street hill and loved telling stories of the fun they used to have growing up in that neighborhood. His Mother passed away from cancer when Bill was a young child and he and his father lived together for many years as bachelors. Bill loved Spokane and was so proud of the city and community from which he came – especially the Gonzaga University Men's Basketball Team and watching them play was a favorite past-time.

He graduated from North Central High School and attended Gonzaga College (as it was known then) for 2 years. Then on March 7, 1953, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed in San Diego and Bremerton until March 16, 1955. He became fast friends with a fellow recruit named Andy Ferrera who had a girlfriend named Shirley Newell who was from Seattle, and she had a sister named Charlotte. That introduction began the next chapter in Bill's life.

Bill was married to Charlotte Dorothy Newell on January 26, 1958, in Spokane and they remained a couple for 67 years. Together they raised three beautiful children, Michelle Kathleen Donahue (now Anderson), Marcy Kay Donahue, and Michael Keith Donahue.

Bill worked for 46 years in the telecommunications industry as a Field Switchboard Technician; first at Pacific Northwest Bell, which became USWest and then Qwest Communications. He instilled his hard work ethic and strong core values in the children and all three became first generation college graduates.

Throughout his life, Bill relished his time at their lake cabin at Lake Pend Oreille in Northern Idaho and loved creating great memories with friends and family and driving his big white and blue Apollo boat around the lake. The lake remains an incredibly special place for the entire family to this day. Bill was also an excellent, competitive racquetball player and enjoyed many tournaments at The Elks and Eagles sports clubs. He had a passion for working on cars and spent much time in his early days at the Spokane Raceway. When he retired, he had a love for restoring his '67 Mustang and being a part of the Mustang Club of Spokane. He was known for his talent in keeping his cars beautiful and clean. As a hobby, Bill spent many hours tending to his beautiful rose garden.

Bill is survived by his spouse, Charlotte Donahue; his daughter, Michelle and husband Phil Anderson; and their children, Allie and husband, Hunter Sceats, daughter, Cassie Anderson; his daughter, Marcy Donahue, with her children, Luke and Lauren Dome; and his daughter-in-law, Kristine Donahue, with her children, Sarah and wife, Candace Donahue, and JoJo and husband, Corey Smith. It gives us comfort knowing Bill will be reunited with his son, Mike Donahue, in Heaven.

Bill was loved dearly by his family and friends and well-known for his charming personality and big smile. He has much to be proud of in his life and for all that he accomplished. He will be deeply missed. We will be honoring Bill with a graveside memorial service at Riverside Cemetery on November 9, 2024, at 12:30pm in celebration of what would have been his 91st birthday.