William F. "Bill" McDonald

William F. (Bill) McDonald passed away peacefully on 12/29/15 at the age of 88, of natural causes. He was born in 1927 to Charlotte and Charles McDonald in Butte MT, the fourth of 4 children. He was proceded in death by his parents, brother Charles and sister Mary Sue.

Bill graduated from Butte High School in 1945 and joined the US Navy in 1948, serving four years during the Korean Conflict. He worked as an electrician and fireman on a Military transport boat providing transport for Marine landing parties.

Bill met the love of his life, Donalee Cronin, who "chased him until he caught her." They married in 1954 and had 2 children, Chuck and Patti. Bill and Dona spent 52 wonderful years together travelling, dancing, and playing poker with lifelong friends and family.

Bill worked for Mountain Bell (subsequently US West) for 30 yers as a lineman, testboardman and finally in management at the time of his retirement in Helena. Bill was a member of the Elks in Butte and IBEW. Following his retirement, he opened the D&B drive-in in Helena, serving delicious burgers, pasties, and ice cream for several years, fulfilling his lifelong passion for cooking.

Mom and Dad moved to Boise ID in 1991 to help grandparent their only grandson, Scott. Dad would lovingly make after school treats for Scott while Mom would lovingly show him how to play poker and cheat at Chinese Checkers!

Dad loved people, reading, making wooden figureines and birdhouses for his friends and family, many of whom have at least one or two of his creations.

A few years after Mom's passing in 2006, Dad moved to Missoula to live with Chuck. They were great roommates and truely enjoyed each other's company.

Bill is survived by his son, Chuck, daughter, Patti (Bill) Marshall, grandson, Scott, sister Ruth Hadzor, sisters in law, Jean Cronin and Dorothy Shelton, brother in law, John Freyman, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Special thanks for the loving care and support provided by the doctors and nurses of St. Patrick's Hospital, caregivers from Case Management and Partner's in Home Care Hospice.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated 01/08/16 at 11:00a.m. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Missoula MT. Burial will be in Boise Id at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

Read William McDonald's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.