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. [Read more…]