William "Bill" D. O'Donnell

William “Bill” D. O’Donnell, 89, of Rockford, died Saturday, August 22, 2015. Bill was born on August 21, 2015, in Brockton, MA; to parents John F. and Agnes T. (Flanagan) O’Donnell. He was the youngest of four children; John Frank, Marjorie Gertrude, and Mary Virginia. In 1943, Bill proudly served his country in the United States Navy, at the age of 17. While in College at the University of New Mexico, he met his loving wife Dixie Lou Anderson, and they were later married on January 31, 1951. Bill was an accomplished and passionate member of our Rockford community, involved in numerous organizations. He will always be remembered for his dedication and selflessness to our community.
Bill is survived by his children; Craig (Dawn) O’Donnell of Fort Myers, FL, and Virginia “Ginger” (Paul) Thompson; grandchildren, Stephanie, Linnea, Ted, Shannon, and Aleisha; great grandchildren, Jack, Zane, and Finn; two nephews and six nieces.
He is predeceased by his parents, his wife, Dixie, his brother John; and sister, Marjorie.

Funeral Mass will be 10 AM, Friday, August 28, 2015; at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church St., Rockford, IL, 61103; with a visitation from 9AM until time of prayers at 9:45AM. Burial will immediately follow at Scandinavian Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Rockford Rescue Mission in Bill’s honor. Funeral arrangements cared for by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL, 61108.