Cover photo for William McDonald's Obituary
William McDonald Profile Photo

William McDonald

September 8, 1963 — November 19, 2024

William (Billy) F. McDonald, 61, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, November 19th at Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen. Born and raised in Jersey City, he moved to North Arlington in 1990 before moving back to Jersey City to help care for his parents.

William worked for 30 years for the New Jersey Department of Corrections, where he retired in 2013 as Sergeant. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 474 in Jersey City, where he obtained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1978. He was a member of Euclid Masonic Lodge No. 136 F & A.M. in Hasbrouck Heights, where he served as Worshipful Master in both 1997 and 2000. William was also a member of the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association, The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Hudson County, and the past Vice President of the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey.

William enjoyed traveling in his younger years. He loved camping, fishing, and crabbing, especially with his late Uncle Sunny. He had an admiration for lighthouses and enjoyed visiting them wherever he would go, and even had a collection of model ones. William also loved kite flying and would take his sons to fly them on the beach when they would go to Wildwood Crest, where they spent their summer vacations. He was a wonderful cook who was taught by his mother and grandmother, and would cook for all family holidays and functions.

William is predeceased by his parents, James C. (Jersey City Police Department - Emergency Service Unit) & Pauline A. (nee Dunn) McDonald, and his sister-in-law Laura McDonald. He leaves behind his wife of 34 years, Judith M. (nee Hughes) McDonald, his sons Sean Patrick & his wife Raquel Erin McDonald, and Ryan James & his wife Alexandrea Clarice McDonald, his granddaughters Madison Belle, Riley Paige & Elsa Ann McDonald, his brother James J. McDonald and brothers-in-law Joseph E. Hughes and Scott E. & his wife Tracey Hughes, and many nephews and cousins.

Funeral Tuesday 10 AM from the Ippolito-Stellato Funeral Home, 425 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst. Funeral mass 11 AM Queen of Peace R.C. Church. Entombment Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum. Friends & family will be received Monday 4-8 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Children's Dyslexia Centers of NJ, 301 Division Avenue, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604.

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