William 'Bill' James O'Donnell Jr., 62

William

‘Bill’ James O’Donnell Jr., 62

Born in Sandpoint, Idaho, on June 2, 1931, William “Bill” James O’Donnell Jr. was the second child of William James O’Donnell Sr. and his wife, Edna May.

Bill spent most of his first 62 years living and making life experiences in Dover, Idaho. Bill’s many cherished and lifelong friendships were cultivated in the Dover community, which he shared with his sisters, Lois and Marjory; his brother, Larry; cousin Norma Jean and his parents. Life held many adventures.

Bill’s education started in a small school, located in Dover. Grades 1-6 were spent at that small school, and in 1940, Bill advanced from third grade to fifth, continuing his education in Dover. When he reached the seventh and eighth-grade years, he transferred to the Farmin School in Sandpoint. Bill attended high school in Sandpoint and graduated in 1948 at age 16. It was during those years in high school that Bill met Lesley Marleen Mooney, the girl who later in life would become his wife and forever love.

The early years of Bill’s life were spent camping, hunting, fishing and roaming the nearby mountains with his friends and family. Often the family would spend summers living in different logging camps where his father worked. Bill loved the outdoors and related activities all his life.

Because they were not of age, Bill and good friend, Bob Becker, lied about their ages so they could work for the Forest Service in a CC camp that was put in place after World War II, where they worked to control the blister rust problem in the forest.

Early in his life, Bill was hooked on fishing along with good friends, Jack Ames and Bob Becker. In fact, Bob Becker saved Bill’s life on two separate occasions while fishing, because Bill couldn’t swim and he had fallen into the beaver pond slough. Bob jumped in and pulled Bill to safety.

Due to his young age, Bill couldn’t get a job at the local lumber mills after graduating, so he accepted a job as a gravedigger for Bud Moon, at Moon’s Chapel, digging graves by hand at the local cemeteries. Upon turning 18, Bill obtained employment at Pack River Lumber Company. He was employed as a carrier operator for 25 years. Bill was an active member of the International Woodworkers of America Union, from 1949-1974. He was a shop steward at Pack River Lumber Company and was very active in the dealings with the company by representing the labor force. From those learning experiences, the state of Idaho offered Bill a job as a compliance officer for the state. He accepted the position and the remainder of his career was spent working for the state until his retirement in 1993.

In 1950, Bill started his courtship with Marleen Mooney. They married in 1952 and were blessed with two daughters: Jackie and Billie “Peanut.” Bill and Marleen enjoyed raising their girls, and later, Bill’s stepson, Alan Kohal, joined the family. Fishing, camping, huckleberry picking, gathering firewood for winter and so many other experiences were shared. Bill was passionate about all his family and his actions conveyed this.

Bill enjoyed playing softball and probably would have continued to play for more than the 25 years, but a broken ankle ended that activity. Bill played basketball for the Methodist basketball team when he was in his 40s and 50s. He also enjoyed many other sports.

Being a “lunch-pail” Democrat, Bill held the Bonner County Democratic Central Committee position of chairman for five years, and he remained active in the party for many years after that. Because he felt a strong sense of social obligation to serve or help neighbors and friends, Bill worked to help create the Rocky Point Sewer District, the new Dover Water System, and was a volunteer fireman. Bill served as the first official mayor of Dover. He was a lifetime member of the Sandpoint United Methodist Church, where he served in many capacities for the church and God.

Just prior to retiring in 1993, Bill and Marleen moved to their home on Jewel Lake Road in the Sagle area, and he was later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Bill enjoyed living rurally but always kept a special place in his heart for Dover and the very special people in his life that lived there.

Bill was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and so much more to all of us that he leaves behind. Bill’s unexpected departure will leave a big void and he will be extremely missed by all.

We love you, Papa! You were the best ever!

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Edna; sister Lois Rockwell; brother Larry O’Donnell; stepson Alan Kohal; sister-in-law Sharon Bistline; brother-in-law Gary Mooney and brother-in-law Harry Hulquist. Surviving is his wife of 67 years, Marleen (Lesley); two daughters, Jackie (Jerry) Kennedy and Billie “Peanut” (Robert) Alderman; sister Marjory Hulquist; brother-in-law Darrel (Roseann) Mooney; sister-in-law Chieko Mooney; honorary brother and sister, Chuck and Sally Heath; extended family, Tooter and Elaine Hays; grandchildren Stephanie (Alvin) Rief-Brown, Roberta (Ben) Cestnik, Jenny (Doug) Brown, David Alderman, Missy Alderman, Angela (Levi) Shoolroy, Tim (Sarah) Kohal and Matt Kohal; daughter-in-law Monica “Nicki” Kohal; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A viewing was held Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, at Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel in Sandpoint. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019, at Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel, with a potluck gathering at the VFW Hall to follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Bill’s name be given to Sandpoint’s local chapter of the Parkinson’s Association Power PAC, P.O. Box 131, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Bill’s family wishes to offer special thanks to all care providers and individuals that helped make Bill’s life a nicer place to live. We especially appreciate Paige Russell, Tom and Amy Seastone, Jaime Mark, Homer Coleman and the Rock Steady Boxing individuals.