William "Bill" E. Donahue

Bill Donahue passed away February 22, at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, WA after a three year illness. He was born in LaGrande, OR on January 16, 1941 to Ann and Earl Donahue. He graduated from high school in Pendleton, OR in 1959 and went on to Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande. While in attendance there he was injured in an automobile accident that left him a paraplegic. He returned to college at Eastern Washington University earning a BA degree in administration and accounting. In 1968 he was hired by the Spokane County auditor’s office as a clerical supervisor. He held that position until his appointment to auditor in 1982. He retired from that position in 1999. Bill was treasurer of the Inland Empire Chapter of the NRA (National Rehabilitation Association), was involved in establishing wheelchair accessibility in downtown Spokane, and was involved with wheelchair basketball in this area as well as on the national level. Bill is survived by his mother, Ann Donahue at the home; his brother, Patrick (DeLayne) Donahue; nephews Sean (Ann) and Kevin (Kelsey) Donahue of Spokane; a niece, Kerry Donahue of Boynton Beach, FL; five great nephews, Aaron, Joshua, Nathan, Spencer, and Rylan Donahue, all of Spokane. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Donahue and a brother, Arthur Donahue. A celebration of Bill’s life will be Friday, March 5, at 1:00 p.m. at Fairmount Memorial Park Chapel, 5200 W. Wellesley, Spokane, WA. The Reverend Jeff Crosno of Spokane Valley Church of the Nazarene will be officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to the NRA, 15611 N. Meadowglen Ct., Spokane, WA 99208 or the Northwest Wheelchair Basketball League, c/o St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, 711 S. Crowley, Spokane, WA.