William Eugene "Bill" McDonald Obit
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William Eugene "Bill" McDonald
Sep 2, 1927 - Sep 12, 2017
Posted by Ann Weber

DAVIS FAMILY FUNERAL HOME
DEWEY, WASHINGTON CO, OK
(permission granted)

William Eugene (Bill) McDonald, retired Civil Engineer, passed away peacefully at home on September 12, 2017. Bill was born to William Earl & Ollie May McDonald on September 2, 1927 in Mayetta, KS, the last of five children.

Bill grew up in Topeka, Kansas, graduated from Topeka High School in 1945, and entered the Army as a Fire Direction Technician, serving until 1947 as Sergeant with the 37th Field Artillery Battery, 2nd Infantry Division.

Bill attended Washburn College in Topeka for 2 years, then transferred to Kansas State and graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1952. He began a prolific career in Civil/Structural Engineering, starting with Phillips Petroleum in Bartlesville. Bill was always enthusiastic about the pioneering and innovative engineering work that were part of his assignments with Phillips, including various industrial plant designs, docks & harbors and offshore structures.

As Technical Lead in Offshore Civil Engineering Development for Phillips, Bill participated in the design of fixed offshore platforms, tension leg platforms and other marine structures. He was a member of many worldwide Industry R & D efforts, including an MIT Advisory Committee, and he helped establish world-wide engineering standards for deep water drilling and production platform facilities. Bill was a life-long Civil and Professional Engineer, and enjoyed traveling to exotic locations with Phillips including the Philippines, Norway, Puerto Rico, and Borger, Texas. Bill retired from Phillips while living in Houston in 1986. He returned to Bartlesville and joined Service and Technology Engineering where he served as Supervisor of Civil/Structural Engineering for many years, retiring in 1996.

Bill married Norma Swoveland in 1951 in Topeka, KS, and after moving to Bartlesville, they became the proud parents of three wonderful sons with many happy years. Bill was involved in his boys’ and family activities including Little League coach, Boy Scouts, and Band parents, as well as being a long time member and elder of Good Shepherd Presbyterian church. Bill enjoyed actively working with the Bartlesville Jaycees on many projects and was “Jaycee of the Year” in 1963.

Bill began a new chapter in his life after meeting Connie Meade at a Christian singles dance in Tulsa. Sharing an interest in ballroom and square dancing they decided to dance through life together and married in 1985. Bill and Connie enjoyed traveling, and after living in Houston, relocated to Bartlesville where they landscaped and built natural gardens, relished remodeling their homes and restoring furniture, and enjoyed time at home with their cats and dogs.

Bill tried to make the world a better place, always busy with a project. Bill’s daily scripture taped to his computer was “Father, help me to do the best I can, with what I have, where I am, at all times.”

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Connie; sons Mark of Pittsburgh, PA, Mike McDonald and his wife (Beth) of Oklahoma City, and David (Teresa) of San Mateo, CA; as well as grandchildren Amy (Brett) Hightower, Caitlin, Maura & Sam McDonald; and many other loving extended family members.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents and four siblings, and his stepson Damon McMurtrie.

Bill’s family will receive friends at the Davis Family Funeral Home, 918-534-3030, 113 S. Osage (Hwy. 75), Dewey, on Friday, September 15, from 6-7 p.m.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, at the Davis Family Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Curt Meade officiating.

Interment will follow in the Ramona Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the James H. Teel American Legion Post 105 Honor Guard. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home.

Online condolences and remembrances may be shared with Bill’s family at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.
 

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