William E. (Willie) McDonald

William E. (Willie) McDonald passed away on March 19, 2024, at the age of 91. He was born in Monterey, Tennessee, on March 27, 1932, one of eleven children, to the late Maurice and Beulah Ledbetter McDonald. Preceded in death by brothers Alden, Charles, James, Roy & Tom, and sisters Mary Frances Luck, Dimple Miller, Deanne Burrum, and Noel Merritt.

Willie married his wife, Helen Jean Hinson, on September 3, 1953, and she passed away on January 2, 2023, after 69 years of marriage.

Mr. McDonald is survived by his sons, William E. Jr. (Bill), and Robert L. (Bob) and wife Susan, grandchildren, Elizabeth Collins (Chris), Catherine Tuck (Andrew), Caroline Griswold (Allan), Robert (Mallory), and Michael (Kate), seven great-grandsons and one great granddaughter, sister Anna Rose Warren and sister-in-law Barbara Hinson, of Hohenwald, Tennessee, and a host of nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Willie was a dedicated member of the Donelson Presbyterian Church since 1972 serving as deacon, elder and elder emeritus. He attended Eakin, Cavert and graduated from West End High School in 1950, and graduated from LSU School of Banking in 1975.

On July 6, 1950, McDonald joined Third National Bank (SunTrust) and retired in 2003 as Senior Vice President and enjoyed a very successful career, spending 46 of those years in the Donelson community, where he built many business and personal relationships with his loyal customers and friends. He was most dedicated to his Donelson community and the overall Nashville area. Willie joined CedarStone Bank in 2004 and retired in 2019.

McDonald believed in being community involved serving on numerous civic, social, community, and educational boards, just to name a few: Metropolitan Industrial Development Board, Nashville Electric Service, Nashville Convention Center, Music City Center, Ladies Hermitage Association, American Cancer Society, Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce, Goodpasture Christian School, PENCIL, Boy Scouts of America, YMCA, Senior Citizens Foundation, McKendree Village Foundation and McLeroy Foundation and too many more to name.

Over the years, Willie was recognized by the following organizations: Tennessee Bankers Association Wall of Fame, Tennessee State Senate and House of Representatives with resolution naming him "Unofficial Mayor Of Donelson", Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce Business Man of the year twice, Donelson Civitan Club Man of Donelson, and the Lions Club Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, March 27 from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm, with service following at 4:30 pm, at the Donelson Presbyterian Church, 2305 Lebanon Road, Nashville, Tennessee, 37214. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Donelson Presbyterian Church, or Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, Tennessee, 37203.

Arrangements in the care of Compassion Funeral and Cremation Services, 6949 Charlotte Pike, Suite 104, Nashville, Tennessee 37209.