1918
William
2014
William MacDonald
October 14, 1918 — July 29, 2014
One of the great members of Cleveland's Greatest Generation passed away on July 29, 2014 at the age of 95. William E. MacDonald ("Bill"), former Chairman & CEO of the Ohio Bell Telephone Company, was an outstanding Ohio business and civic leader.
He was Chairman of the Board of the Cleveland Clinic, the United Way, and the Cleveland Growth Association. At Mayor Voinovich's request, he chaired the Waterfront Development Committee, which paved the way for the Great Lakes Science Center and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He also had a prominent role in the Mayor's Operations Improvement Task Force. Additionally, he served on many Boards of Trustees including the Musical Arts Association, University Circle, Downtown Cleveland Corporation, Codrington Foundation, and Lutheran Medical Center.
As a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he was stationed in London. Lt. MacDonald was one of two officers assigned to decode and deliver messages from Roosevelt to Churchill.
Born in Columbus, Mr. MacDonald was a 1940 Graduate of Ohio State University where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He began his telephone company career collecting coins from pay phones. After a series of promotions, including time with the American Telephone and Telegraph Company in New York, he returned to Columbus, Ohio in 1955, and moved to Cleveland in 1964 as Vice President of operations and was elected to Ohio Bell's top post in 1978. He retired after a 42 year illustrious business career. He was a member of the Boards of Directors of BancOhio, Brush Wellman, Lamson & Sessions, Owens-Illinois, Yale Material Handling, and Mutual of America.
An avid golfer, Mr. MacDonald often shot his age or better. He was also a skilled fly fisherman and gifted musician. He was a member of The Fifty Club of Cleveland, The Union Club, The Country Club, The Pepper Pike Club, and Castalia Trout Club.
He was predeceased 25 years ago by his wife Ruth (Muffy) and is survived by two sons: William E. III (Susan) of Vero Beach, FL and John (Daisy) of Kansas City, MO; four grandchildren: Heather Stefanski (Ben), Lindsay Hubbard (Nathan), Daisy Selman (Andrew), Thatcher MacDonald; and six great grandchildren.
The family prefers that those who wish make contributions in his name to: Cleveland Clinic's Department of Preventive Medicine, P.O. Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44193 or to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2747 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Hts., OH 44106.
The family will hold a Private Service.
PDF Printable Version
He was Chairman of the Board of the Cleveland Clinic, the United Way, and the Cleveland Growth Association. At Mayor Voinovich's request, he chaired the Waterfront Development Committee, which paved the way for the Great Lakes Science Center and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He also had a prominent role in the Mayor's Operations Improvement Task Force. Additionally, he served on many Boards of Trustees including the Musical Arts Association, University Circle, Downtown Cleveland Corporation, Codrington Foundation, and Lutheran Medical Center.
As a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he was stationed in London. Lt. MacDonald was one of two officers assigned to decode and deliver messages from Roosevelt to Churchill.
Born in Columbus, Mr. MacDonald was a 1940 Graduate of Ohio State University where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He began his telephone company career collecting coins from pay phones. After a series of promotions, including time with the American Telephone and Telegraph Company in New York, he returned to Columbus, Ohio in 1955, and moved to Cleveland in 1964 as Vice President of operations and was elected to Ohio Bell's top post in 1978. He retired after a 42 year illustrious business career. He was a member of the Boards of Directors of BancOhio, Brush Wellman, Lamson & Sessions, Owens-Illinois, Yale Material Handling, and Mutual of America.
An avid golfer, Mr. MacDonald often shot his age or better. He was also a skilled fly fisherman and gifted musician. He was a member of The Fifty Club of Cleveland, The Union Club, The Country Club, The Pepper Pike Club, and Castalia Trout Club.
He was predeceased 25 years ago by his wife Ruth (Muffy) and is survived by two sons: William E. III (Susan) of Vero Beach, FL and John (Daisy) of Kansas City, MO; four grandchildren: Heather Stefanski (Ben), Lindsay Hubbard (Nathan), Daisy Selman (Andrew), Thatcher MacDonald; and six great grandchildren.
The family prefers that those who wish make contributions in his name to: Cleveland Clinic's Department of Preventive Medicine, P.O. Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44193 or to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2747 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Hts., OH 44106.
The family will hold a Private Service.
PDF Printable Version
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