William Edward Mcdonald, loving husband, father and grandfather, died on Sunday the 2nd of December 2007 in Houston, with his wife and children at his side. He was born the 14th of June 1931, and raised in Orange, Texas. He attended The University of Texas on a football scholarship, where he played center and was co-captain of the 1951 Cotton Bowl championship Longhorns. He received his B.A. in Business Administration and LLB at The University of Texas School of Law. Mr. McDonald began his law practice in 1956 at Vinson-Elkins where he made life long friends. Subsequently he was a partner in several law firms, but the job his family enjoyed the most was his position as General Counsel for the Houston Sports Association (Astros) and Astrodomain complex under Judge Roy Hofheinz. He gave freely of his time and talents coaching baseball and softball in Austin, Texas and the Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association. He was also a Life Member of Chapelwood Board of Stewards and served as head usher and children's Sunday school teacher. His family is grateful for his gifts of integrity, honesty courage, encouragement and humor. He is preceded in death by his parents, Myra McGill McDonald and John Forrest McDonald, brother, John McDonald, sister, Nora McDonald Riggs, and daughter, Julia McDonald. Mr. McDonald is survived by his wife of 38 years, Gayle Williams McDonald, and children, Melissa Bohannon, Mindy Hensen and husband, Charlie, Bryan Fuller and wife, Sarah, Sherri Fuller, and Melanie Worthington, as well as grandchildren, Kristen Bohannon, Amanda Terrell and husband, Nick, Heather Hensen, Katherine Worthington, Will Worthington, and Grayson Fuller, and Kaylee and Gunner Terrell, great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers Forrest McDonald and Fred McDonald, sister, Virginia McDonald Sanford, and many nieces and nephews to whom he was devoted. Following private graveside services at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, a Memorial Service will be held at two o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 6th of December in the Sanctuary of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay in Houston with Dr. James F. Jackson officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to The Chapelwood Foundation at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay, Houston, TX 77024.
