William "Bill" Livingston Donovan Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

William "Bill" Livingston Donovan Junior went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 18th, 2020 at UNC Medical Center after a heroic battle with cancer. Bill was born November 7, 1954 in Woburn, Massachusetts to William "Bill" Donovan Senior and Elizabeth "Betty" Landry Donovan. He grew up in Stoneham and Melrose, Massachusetts alongside five siblings in a close and loving family. He attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church where he served as an altar boy. From his earliest years, Bill loved and excelled at sports and games of all kinds. He lettered in soccer, hockey and baseball at Melrose High School. After graduation, he spent a prep year at Phillips Exeter Academy before attending Dartmouth College. At Dartmouth, he majored in government, continued to play hockey, and personally delivered the Sunday Boston Globe to students and faculty. He was also an active member of the Sphinx Society, YV. Bill was forever grateful for all the friends he met at Dartmouth. Bill joined IBM after graduating from Dartmouth in 1977. On the first day of entry level training, he met the love of his life Annette "Taki" Lamson-Scribner Donovan. He and Taki married in 1981, built an amazing life together and had three great kids, Katherine "Katie" (Trey) Donovan Lambert of Winston-Salem, NC, Alexis "Ali" Foster Donovan of San Francisco, CA, and William "Will" Livingston Donovan III of Cary, NC. Bill enjoyed his family above all things. His quick, dry sense of humor, strength, warmth and love made him a rock to his siblings, wife and kids. After 30 years with IBM Bill retired, and enjoyed every minute of it! He and his family had joined MacGregor Downs Country Club in 1994, where they met and enjoyed the company of more wonderful friends and their families. When his children were younger, his “radio voice” had made him the perfect announcer for home swim meets. Once retired though, Bill actually had time to play golf! He also served on the Greens Committee and as chair of the Advisory Board. Highlights of his golf career included a few Club Championships, a hole in one, and winning plenty of money from his friends on the course! He never quite shot his age, but he came close, shooting 67 at MacGregor a year or two ago. Mr. Donovan was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Betty Donovan. He is survived by his loving wife Taki; his three children, Katie, Ali, and Will; grandchildren William Ransome Lambert and Fletcher Louise Lambert; siblings Judy (John) Wraga, Stephen Donovan, Eileen (Jon) Roman, Susan Donovan, Brian (Susan) Donovan; and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Bill was a wonderful husband, a fantastic father and a friend to all. He will be sorely missed. Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 Father John Durbin of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Apex will officiate at a Liturgy of the Word for Bill and his immediate family only. A short graveside service for friends and family will follow at 11:30am at Wake Memorial Park. Masks and social distancing measures are required even though the graveside service is outdoors. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill’s memory can be directed to The Duke Cancer Patient Support Program. Online contributions may be made by visiting https://www.gifts.duke.edu/cancersupport or checks can be mailed to Kristy Sartin at the Duke Cancer Institute Development Office, 300 W. Morgan Street Suite 1200, Durham, NC 27701, noting the memorial name in the memo line.

William "Bill" Livingston Donovan Jr.

November 7, 1954 - December 18, 2020