William (Bill) Alden Donaldson, passed away on January 15, 2026 at the age of 64 at Suburban Hospital.

Bill was born on July 23, 1961 in Hyattsville, Maryland. As a young boy, he and his family lived in different countries around the world, including Japan, the Philippines, China, and more. However, most of his upbringing was spent in Potomac, Maryland, where he made many lifelong friends. They would adventure together in the woods behind his house, building tree forts and filming their own make-believe “war” movies. He shared this space that had given him so much joy with his children as they grew up.

Bill loved sports, and whether playing or coaching, he was always competitive and wanted to win. A life-long athlete, he played football for Fred Shepard at Winston Churchill High School, and went on to play football and rugby at the University of South Carolina, creating memories he always cherished. He coached his son’s football teams like the Superbowl was on the line, and would always be the first one to volunteer for the parent/child relay at the local pool.

Bill was a dedicated Washington Commanders (aka Redskins) fan. He and his wife Gretchen would sit and watch their games every Sunday, or nowadays, Thursdays and Saturdays too, wearing their jerseys for good luck.

In the last ten years of his life, Bill developed a passion for cooking. He loved to try new recipes, and also routinely made favorites for my mom, such as his famous Coq au van and White wine chicken.

When his children came home to visit, the first question he would ask was “what do you want for breakfast tomorrow?” They would always wake up to a delicious spread including all of our favorites, eggs for Gretchen, hash browns with extra garlic for Anna, and buttermilk pancakes for Will.

Bill had many pets throughout his life. Dogs, cats, chickens, and mice could all be found in his home, and all were loved like a member of the family. Throughout my childhood, our cat Lily would curl up by his feet while he worked, and our dog Loki would keep him company when he was cooking.

Bill loved all things to do with or adjacent to the ocean: whether it be scuba diving, swimming, researching marine biology, or enjoying a pina colada and getting a level of tan that has kept dermatologists in business since the 80s. Every year growing up, he would plan a family vacation to Ocean City. These trips fostered many traditions such as breakfast at Happy Jacks, constant stops for Dumsers ice cream, and elaborate bets on mini golf tournaments.

One of the ways Bill connected with those around him was through a shared love of movies and books. He would discuss plots to Turner classic movies with my grandmas, book recommendations with his cousin Sharon, and try relentlessly to get his kids to read the Hobbit - the book that first sparked his lifelong love of all fantastical worlds of fiction.

Bill loved playing board games and game nights became something the whole family looked forward to. On weekends, vacations, and breaks from work and school the Donaldson's always found time to play at the kitchen table. During these bouts, his competitive spirit and strategic thinking made an appearance. In the card game Hearts, he loved to “shoot the moon,” or go “all in” a philosophy that he embodied in every aspect of his life.

Bill loved to play Pictionary, even though drawing was not his strong suit. He would scribble something and then circle it, point at it, or redraw the same thing over and over again. All the while, it looked like a 3 yrs olds Mona Lisa. But in spite of it all, the games were still fun.

Above all else, Bill loved being with his family and made the time spent together special. Bill will be remembered as a loving husband and father, a devoted son, and a loyal and trusted friend.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Gretchen Donaldson; his daughter, Anna Donaldson, and son, William Donaldson, Jr. He also leaves behind his cousins- Sharon Noble, MaryLynn Wright, Deborah Thorpe, Darlene Donaldson, and Dawn Donaldson along with his nieces and nephew who will truly miss him.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Emily Donaldson, his father, Philip Donaldson, and his brother Philip (Donny) Donaldson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of your choice in Bill's name.