William Richard Donohue

William Richard Donohue grew up in Tipton, Iowa. He often remarked that small towns offered the opportunity – and sometimes required – that to cast school plays, balance the marching band, and field teams, everyone needed to be involved. His role as student council president, trumpet player, and four sport athlete notwithstanding, he filled many roles growing up as he did throughout his life. 

Always one to brag about the quality of education in Iowa, it was no surprise that he enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa in 1962, preparing to teach and coach, only to be drafted into the Army. His teaching interests were rewarded with a stateside assignment working for the DOD preparing radio and television broadcasters in the Defense Information School. 

Gratitude was one of Bill’s highest held values, and it was easy for him to talk about the importance of growing up at a time of unparalleled, post-sputnik optimism for all forms of education. In contrast, he also cited some of the most cynical years of his graduate education, at the height of the anti-war and other protest eras, as most formative. 

Following his PhD from Michigan State University in 1972, he became, at 28, one of the youngest Dean of Students in the United States. When he retired from service in higher education at the North Carolina School of the Arts, after 34 years as a Dean/Vice Chancellor, he was thought to be the longest serving Chief Student Affairs Officer in the country, and was honored by his Alma Mater for lifetime achievement. 

But his work as an advocate and administrator in the service of children and adults with special needs may be that for which he is most remembered. He found great joy and energy as a public advocate for United Way, Muscular Dystrophy and Down Syndrome awareness, and parenting special needs children generally. His final administrative post was as the Executive Director of The Special Children’s School, where from 2005 to 2010 he helped negotiate funding partnerships with the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools and the Children’s Center for the Physically Disabled. 

His partners in special needs advocacy include many parents and self-advocates, but especially his family. Wife Deborah, Son Jeremy and Daughter Lindsay both joined and inspired him in areas such as Special Olympics where he coached, volunteered, and played as golf partner with Jeremy. He and Deborah co-founded the first local Buddy Walk for Down syndrome at Tanglewood Park in 2001 and helped launch Beyond Academics at UNC-G in 2008, the largest inclusive residential program in higher education for adults with intellectual disabilities. 

“Dr. Bill” loved to write and enjoyed creating diverse publications which included academic research, poetry, fiction, family memoirs, and numerous letters to editors, employers, legislators, and media outlets, where he championed his many passions. Social Justice was a natural extension of his disability work and offered many leadership opportunities within the Democratic Party, Parkway United Church of Christ, The Arc of NC and Disability Rights NC. 

He and Deborah were married in 1982, homesteaded in South Dakota, moved to Clemmons in 1996, and built a retirement home in Winston Salem in 2006, where he loved gardening, landscaping, and an occasional round of golf. He is survived by his wife Deborah and son, Jeremy, his brother Dave, his first wife Nancy, their daughter Carrie, and his grandson Travis, who live in Massachusetts. His grand-daughter, Amelia, and grandson, Henry were born to his daughter, Lindsay, in Norway, and lit up his life.

A celebration of life will be held from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Parkway United Church of Christ on Saturday, August 17, 2024.

A private burial will be held for close family and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Bill's honor to Parkway UCC (https://secure.myvanco.com/YHND/home) and the Down Syndrome Association Greater Winston-Salem (https://charity.pledgeit.org/dsagwsdonation).