William O'Donoghue

ST. SIMONS ISLAND — William Henry (Bill) O'Donoghue, died on Sunday Dec. 4, 2016, at Magnolia Manor nursing facility at approximately 2 a.m. after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease. He departed this life as he lived it, a true Southern gentleman. Bill was a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., lived in Springfield and Alexandria, Va., for a large portion of his life before relocating to Brewster, Mass., and finally to St. Simons Island, Ga., with his wife Helen. Bill served in the Naval Air Corps as a tail gunner during WWII and attended and graduated from Wilson Teacher's College in Washington, D.C., and taught for a year before going to work for the Federal Government. He worked in Administrative positions for many different agencies in the government over his 35 years of service and spent his last 13 years with the Department of Justice. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Henrietta Varner O'Donoghue and William Ellsworth O'Donoghue; as well as his sister, Donna Hutcheson; and his brother, Michael O'Donoghue. He is survived by his wife, Helen O'Donoghue; and by his first wife and mother of his children, Grace O'Donoghue; his children, daughter, Denise Johnson (Bill), of Virginia, Rosalind O'Donoghue, of Oregon, Timothy O'Donoghue (Janet), of Wyoming, and Julianne O'Donoghue Lemke (Greg), of Wyoming; five grandchildren, Sean O'Donoghue, of Virginia, Brian O'Donoghue, of Washington, D.C. and Cameron O'Donoghue, of Wyoming; and two granddaughters, Darby Johnson, of Virginia and Kelleyanne Johnson-Maratto (Greg), of Virginia; and two great- grandchildren, Darrin Johnson, of Virginia and Zoey Maratto, of Virginia. Surviving also are nieces and nephews to whom Bill was very close; nieces, Helen Hart and Karen Hutcheson, of Illinois, and Amy Hutcheson, of New York; and nephews, Roger Hutcheson (Alice), of North Carolina, and Don Hutcheson (Hayley), of Maryland. Bill loved life. He dearly loved his children and believed in giving them wings. He loved his many friends dating back to elementary school and high school in Chattanooga, and with whom he kept in close contact over the years and his friends in Virginia, Massachusetts, and Georgia. In his earlier years, Bill jogged, bowled and played racquetball. He took up golf in his 30's and became quite proficient and was a very good golfer up through his mid 80s. While living in Brewster, Mass., on Cape Cod, he was a member of the Captains' Golf Course and the head of the Golf Commission for two terms. He was greatly responsible for helping to acquire the purchase of land for the Captains' 2nd 18 holes. He was a member of the Springfield Golf and Country Club in Springfield, Va., for many years and Heritage Oaks Golf Course in Brunswick, Ga. Bill loved to read, everything from Shakespeare and Thomas Wolfe to James Michener and Greg Iles. He dearly loved the game of golf and was clearly at home on a golf course. He enjoyed watching pro football on TV and was a dedicated fan of the Washington Redskins and the New England Patriots. He became a lover of cats through his wife, Helen, and shared her cat Cinder, with her. Cinder left them at age 20, their cat Dixie for 19 years and their current two boys of six years, Finnegan and Clancy. Bill with his wry wit said he married Helen because everything around her seemed to live for a long time. He also loved to dance and loved music of all kinds; from Dixieland and New Orleans jazz and blues to country, classical, 50s pop and Pavarotti. He also enjoyed a glass or two of well aged scotch especially when shared with his son-in-law, Bill Johnson; and his friends, Mike Rowe and Travis Douce. But mostly he loved his wife Helen, with whom he spent 32 glorious years. Bill will be missed by all who knew and loved him and his family and many friends will have fond, joyous and funny memories to share over the coming years. Bill donated his body to the Medical College in Augusta so there will be no funeral services. There will be, however, be a celebration of Bill's life at a future date and notice will be posted in the local newspaper and social media. If desired memorial contributions may be made in Bill's memory to: Alzheimer's Association, Georgia Chapter, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 550 Atlanta, GA 30346-10916, to Magnolia Manor 2255 Federica Rd., St. Simons Island, GA 31522 or to a charity of ones choosing. Arrangements are entrusted into the care of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home www.edomillerandsons.com