William "Bill" Donnelly

William (Bill) Donnelly, age 91 of Green Hill, RI, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, June 12, 2021. He was the devoted and loving husband of Eileen (Ward) Donnelly for 48 years. Born in Warwick, RI, Bill was the son of the late Henry T. and Abina (Dunn) Donnelly. Bill was one of ten children. He was the brother of the late Abbie Webster, Jane Anderson, Rose Arundale, Theresa Hawkins, Henry, John, Edward, Charles, and Joseph Donnelly. He was the beloved and faithful uncle of 29 nieces and nephews. Bill was a graduate of Aldrich High School in Warwick. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged as a Seaman in 1952. He was employed as a Composer at The Providence Journal for 37 years until his retirement. Bill remained a bachelor for many years until he met the love of his life, Eileen. They were wed on June 9, 1973. He was an avid reader and a lover of music. He enjoyed singing his favorite old songs to his family. He was very light on his feet and several of his nieces learned how to waltz and fox trot held in his arms. He taught numerous nieces and nephews how to tie their shoes and how to ski. He also treated a few to music lessons to learn guitar and banjo. He was a member of the South Kingstown Elks, Green Hill Beach Club and a supporter of the Special Olympics RI alpine ski team. He will be greatly missed. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 17, 2021 from 10:00am to 11:00am in Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St., Wakefield, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Noon in St. James Chapel, 2079 Matunuck School House Rd, Charlestown. Burial with military honors will be in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Special Olympics Rhode Island, 370 George Washington Hwy, Smithfield, RI 02917 (or online specialolympicsri.org) or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org