Obituary: William T. Donath Jr.

William T. Donath Jr., son of Gladys and William Donath Sr., died at his Oak Ridge, Tennessee, home November 28 at age 93 after a long illness. His parents and brother Bobbie preceded him in death.

Billy enlisted in the Army Air Corps for service in World War II (1941-1945). He was a veteran of the North Africa campaign and the invasion of Italy.

Bill was a loving and beloved husband, father, and grandfather, as well as son and brother. He was a favorite teacher of math at Miami Beach and Coral Park high schools, dedicated tinkerer, junk collector, poet, pilot, puzzler, and Golden Glove boxer. He crossed the country on two wheels.  He pledged Kappa Sigma at the University of Miami.

Bill was an intrepid deep-sea diver and a real-life treasure hunter who scoured nautical maps for wrecks off the South Florida coast. He resided in Miami for 50 years, where he found his most beloved treasure, Carol Ann. He modeled how to treat people—with kindness, respect, and well-grounded humility.He expected goodness in every person he met, and most times, he found it. Occasionally bull-headed, always approachable, and entirely huggable.

Jokester irreverent, he embarrassed and bedazzled with inappropriate ditties including “sour owl hockey” and “frog diddle in the middle.” He welded together salvaged parts to make new bicycles for his family and the rest of the neighborhood. He was also a terrific dancer, an inveterate charmer quick with a smile, and a true gentleman. On birthdays and holidays, he enchanted us with clue-laden limericks leading to hidden treasure.

Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1921, the Rhode Island native is survived by his wife of 41 years, Carol Donath; three children, Loralee Donath and husband Jason F. McBrayer, Robert R. Donath and wife Patricia, and Eric M. Donath and Miss Brittany R. Masse—and three grandchildren, Jubilee F. McBrayer-Donath, Indigo R. McBrayer-Donath, and William Donath, whose sibling is expected in the Spring.

Bill leaves behind all this, along with a touch of mysticism, and an abiding love of the ocean. He loved life and got everything out of it. He will be returned to the sea but remain with each of us in the countless lives he touched.

The family received friends at 10 a.m., with the service following at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 131 West Gettysburg Avenue in Oak Ridge on Monday, December 8, 2014.

Memorials may be directed to Grace Lutheran church at http://www.graceoakridge.org/, Keystone Adult Day Program in Oak Ridge at http://www.keystonetn.org/, Clinch River Home Health at http://crhh.net/, or a charity of choice.

Arrangements by Cremation Options Inc. at (865) 6WE-CARE (693-2273) or www.cremationoptionsinc.com.