William "Bill" Joel Donovan
October 23, 1950 - January 2, 2024
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of William "Bill" Joel Donovan, at the age of 73, on January 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Florida.
Born to John Joseph Donovan and Marion F. Swanton in Scranton, Pennsylvania, William grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. His father's work in launching an air conditioning division at General Electric brought the family to Louisville. William cherished his memories with his parents and brother, John Joseph Donovan Jr. (deceased), and his nephew, Patrick (deceased).
After serving in the Army post-high school, William pursued higher education at Western Kentucky University. There, he earned a bachelor's degree in industrial arts and a master's degree in business construction. In Bowling Green, Kentucky, he met the love of his life, Linda Donovan. Their marriage was blessed with three sons: Joel (Beth), Jimmy (Megan), and Kyle (Rachel), and they later became the proud grandparents of ten grandchildren.
William's remarkable handiness and ability to renovate or fix anything were well-known. In 1984, William moved his family, to join Linda's family in Jacksonville, Florida. In 1987, William founded Donovan Heat and Air (now 150+ employees). This venture, much like his father's work, nurtured and employed young people and families, providing stable livelihoods, and fostering community growth. His early ventures in Bowling Green, including a semi-truck cleaning company and an exterior cleaning service, laid the groundwork for his successful business in Jacksonville.
William's dedication extended beyond business. He was a benefactor for the Mayo Clinic, served on the boards of the Ponte Vedra MSD & The Jacksonville Bank, and had diverse interests ranging from dancing cowboy cha-cha to real estate. And his passion for cycling led him to accomplish a notable ride from Key West to Jacksonville, and he enjoyed exploring the country in his RV with Linda.
Renowned for his humility, William was a man who never sought the limelight for his achievements. His life's motto, "Life is good," displayed on his Jeep, reflected his positive outlook and approach to life.
We warmly invite all friends, colleagues, and acquaintances to William's Celebration of Life on January 21, 2024, at Culhane's Irish Pub in Atlantic Beach (967 Atlantic Blvd) from 2-5 PM.
William's memorial service will be held privately for family members. Those wishing to honor William's memory with floral tributes are kindly requested to send them to Ponte Vedra Valley (4750 Palm Valley Rd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082), January 20-AM.
William's life was a testament to hard work, humility, the joy of living, and the impact one individual can have on the lives of many. He leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and service, deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
