Memorial

Wilfred "Bill" Joseph Donnelly formerly of Cedar Rapids passed away peacefully on Wednesday October 5, 2011 at Don and Marilyn Anderson Hospice Care in Madison, Wisconsin. Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Matthew's Catholic Church by the Rev. Gerald Condon and Rev. David Beckman. Interment: Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. and after 9 a.m. Saturday at the church. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Bill is survived by his loving wife Kay of 66 years, Madison, Wisconsin, son, Tom (Nancy) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, son, Tim of Madison, Wisconsin. Son, Terry (Donna) of Madison, Wisconsin, and a daughter, Lisa Donnelly Angell of Mt. Prospect, Illinois, 10 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; James and Mary Donnelly, brothers, James, Thomas, John, a sister, MaryAnn Donnelly Parret, a daughter, Mary Lane Donnelly and a granddaughter, Tatem Donnelly.

Bill was born on March 14, 1918 in Cascade, Iowa. He and Kathryn Margaret Renk were united in marriage on January 22, 1945 at Sacred Heart Church in Monticello, Iowa. Shortly after WWII, having served 7 years in the United States Navy and discharged with the rank of Chief Petty Officer, he and Kay moved to Cedar Rapids. They raised their 4 children and made numerous and long time friends. Bill worked at Culver Motors as Parts/Service Manager in Cedar Rapids before joining and ultimately retiring from the Post Office in 1983. He and Kay moved to Madison, Wisconsin in 2001 to be closer to their son Terry and his family. Nothing made Bill's Irish eyes smile more than being with family, friends and reminiscing about growing up in Cascade. His 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren were a great source of pride and joy to him. He leaves them with countless happy memories and the chance to tell of the times spent with their Grandpa Bill. During his years as a husband and father he gave his family unconditional love, encouragement, a set of values to live by and always led by example. His faith in God and mankind was unwavering. Bill will be missed forever but never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory can be made to St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids or Camp Courageous, Monticello, Iowa.