VICTORIA - William Thomas "Bill" Donoghue passed away Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007 after a long illness. Bill was born Nov. 13, 1932, in Houston, to the late Gerald Thomas Donoghue and Louise Huggins Donoghue. He was at home surrounded by family and loved ones who will continue to celebrate his life.
As a respected pillar of the community, Bill served on a number of community boards and organizations, including the Victoria Fine Arts Association, the Regional Museum Association, the Victoria Symphony, the 100 Club, and the Chamber of Commerce.
The Gerald T. Donoghue family moved to Goliad in 1943, where shortly after WWII they established the Donoghue Arabian Horse Farm. Bill was an avid participant in all aspects of his family's business activities and was instrumental in preserving the prestigious Donoghue Arabian bloodlines. The horse, no matter what breed, was always in his heart.
Bill graduated from New Mexico Military Institute in 1952. He entered the University of Virginia, achieving a Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree in 1954. He will also be remembered for establishing, with classmate and friend Don Hanna, the first active polo team at UVA.
Bill enlisted in the United States Army after graduation and obtained an officer's commission as a second lieutenant. The following year, Bill successfully completed the Armored Officers Basic Course and was sent to Germany with the 3rd Armored Division. He was discharged from active duty by the U.S. Army in 1957 and remained in Germany. He continued to serve as a reserve officer until honorably discharged in 1964 with the rank of captain.
While in Germany, Bill fell in love and married Christa Neidhardt, April 6, 1957, a beautiful and intelligent young entrepreneur with an established business of her own. With Bill's zest for life and insatiable appetite for learning, the duo became a formidable pair in a multifaceted partnership. As Bill's interest and knowledge of antique clocks, furniture, art and collector of firearms continued, his expertise was rarely rivaled.
Bill and Christy returned to Victoria in 1961 and established an extraordinary gallery specializing in fine European antiques and interior design. Christy Donoghue Antiques, constructed in 1973, became a landmark gallery and showroom for some of the most notable collections of European antiques in Texas. Expansion and diversification continued into the 80's when estate and designer jewelry were introduced to an ever growing clientele.
Bill Donoghue was awarded a diploma in 1991 from the Gemological Institute of America as graduate gemologist, adding one more credential to a long list of lifetime accomplishments.
Bill and Christy elected to close Christy Donoghue Fine Jewels and Antiques in 1999 after 50 years of combine business in Europe and America and divided their time between the K-8 Ranch near Placedo and their residence in Victoria.
William Thomas Donoghue was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Timothy Huggins Donoghue.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Christy Donoghue; daughters, Charli Donoghue Jett and husband Todd and Hilary Donoghue Blackmon and husband Shaun; grandson T.J. Coppola; sister, Clare Donoghue Beck and husband Tommy; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Jerry Crabtree, Dr. Larry Riedel, Dr. Charles Borchers, Dr. Loren Owensby, Dr. Uri Gonik, Samuel Clegg, Joe Bland, Terry Cullen, Simon Cornelius, Jerry Lenz, Don Hinds, and the Honorable Judge Frank Crain.
Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home Chapel, 1801 E. Red River. A private burial will be held at the K-8 Ranch at a later date.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Museum of the Coastal Bend located at Victoria College, Hospice of South Texas, or donor's choice.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the primary caregivers, Odell Benavides, Cheri King, and the hospice staff.
Colonial Funeral Home
As a respected pillar of the community, Bill served on a number of community boards and organizations, including the Victoria Fine Arts Association, the Regional Museum Association, the Victoria Symphony, the 100 Club, and the Chamber of Commerce.
The Gerald T. Donoghue family moved to Goliad in 1943, where shortly after WWII they established the Donoghue Arabian Horse Farm. Bill was an avid participant in all aspects of his family's business activities and was instrumental in preserving the prestigious Donoghue Arabian bloodlines. The horse, no matter what breed, was always in his heart.
Bill graduated from New Mexico Military Institute in 1952. He entered the University of Virginia, achieving a Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree in 1954. He will also be remembered for establishing, with classmate and friend Don Hanna, the first active polo team at UVA.
Bill enlisted in the United States Army after graduation and obtained an officer's commission as a second lieutenant. The following year, Bill successfully completed the Armored Officers Basic Course and was sent to Germany with the 3rd Armored Division. He was discharged from active duty by the U.S. Army in 1957 and remained in Germany. He continued to serve as a reserve officer until honorably discharged in 1964 with the rank of captain.
While in Germany, Bill fell in love and married Christa Neidhardt, April 6, 1957, a beautiful and intelligent young entrepreneur with an established business of her own. With Bill's zest for life and insatiable appetite for learning, the duo became a formidable pair in a multifaceted partnership. As Bill's interest and knowledge of antique clocks, furniture, art and collector of firearms continued, his expertise was rarely rivaled.
Bill and Christy returned to Victoria in 1961 and established an extraordinary gallery specializing in fine European antiques and interior design. Christy Donoghue Antiques, constructed in 1973, became a landmark gallery and showroom for some of the most notable collections of European antiques in Texas. Expansion and diversification continued into the 80's when estate and designer jewelry were introduced to an ever growing clientele.
Bill Donoghue was awarded a diploma in 1991 from the Gemological Institute of America as graduate gemologist, adding one more credential to a long list of lifetime accomplishments.
Bill and Christy elected to close Christy Donoghue Fine Jewels and Antiques in 1999 after 50 years of combine business in Europe and America and divided their time between the K-8 Ranch near Placedo and their residence in Victoria.
William Thomas Donoghue was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Timothy Huggins Donoghue.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Christy Donoghue; daughters, Charli Donoghue Jett and husband Todd and Hilary Donoghue Blackmon and husband Shaun; grandson T.J. Coppola; sister, Clare Donoghue Beck and husband Tommy; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Jerry Crabtree, Dr. Larry Riedel, Dr. Charles Borchers, Dr. Loren Owensby, Dr. Uri Gonik, Samuel Clegg, Joe Bland, Terry Cullen, Simon Cornelius, Jerry Lenz, Don Hinds, and the Honorable Judge Frank Crain.
Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home Chapel, 1801 E. Red River. A private burial will be held at the K-8 Ranch at a later date.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Museum of the Coastal Bend located at Victoria College, Hospice of South Texas, or donor's choice.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the primary caregivers, Odell Benavides, Cheri King, and the hospice staff.
Colonial Funeral Home
VICTORIA - William Thomas "Bill" Donoghue passed away Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007 after a long illness. Bill was born Nov. 13, 1932, in Houston, to the late Gerald Thomas Donoghue and Louise Huggins Donoghue. He was at home surrounded by family and loved ones who will continue to celebrate his life.
As a respected pillar of the community, Bill served on a number of community boards and organizations, including the Victoria Fine Arts Association, the Regional Museum Association, the Victoria Symphony, the 100 Club, and the Chamber of Commerce.
The Gerald T. Donoghue family moved to Goliad in 1943, where shortly after WWII they established the Donoghue Arabian Horse Farm. Bill was an avid participant in all aspects of his family's business activities and was instrumental in preserving the prestigious Donoghue Arabian bloodlines. The horse, no matter what breed, was always in his heart.
Bill graduated from New Mexico Military Institute in 1952. He entered the University of Virginia, achieving a Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree in 1954. He will also be remembered for establishing, with classmate and friend Don Hanna, the first active polo team at UVA.
Bill enlisted in the United States Army after graduation and obtained an officer's commission as a second lieutenant. The following year, Bill successfully completed the Armored Officers Basic Course and was sent to Germany with the 3rd Armored Division. He was discharged from active duty by the U.S. Army in 1957 and remained in Germany. He continued to serve as a reserve officer until honorably discharged in 1964 with the rank of captain.
While in Germany, Bill fell in love and married Christa Neidhardt, April 6, 1957, a beautiful and intelligent young entrepreneur with an established business of her own. With Bill's zest for life and insatiable appetite for learning, the duo became a formidable pair in a multifaceted partnership. As Bill's interest and knowledge of antique clocks, furniture, art and collector of firearms continued, his expertise was rarely rivaled.
Bill and Christy returned to Victoria in 1961 and established an extraordinary gallery specializing in fine European antiques and interior design. Christy Donoghue Antiques, constructed in 1973, became a landmark gallery and showroom for some of the most notable collections of European antiques in Texas. Expansion and diversification continued into the 80's when estate and designer jewelry were introduced to an ever growing clientele.
Bill Donoghue was awarded a diploma in 1991 from the Gemological Institute of America as graduate gemologist, adding one more credential to a long list of lifetime accomplishments.
Bill and Christy elected to close Christy Donoghue Fine Jewels and Antiques in 1999 after 50 years of combine business in Europe and America and divided their time between the K-8 Ranch near Placedo and their residence in Victoria.
William Thomas Donoghue was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Timothy Huggins Donoghue.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Christy Donoghue; daughters, Charli Donoghue Jett and husband Todd and Hilary Donoghue Blackmon and husband Shaun; grandson T.J. Coppola; sister, Clare Donoghue Beck and husband Tommy; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Jerry Crabtree, Dr. Larry Riedel, Dr. Charles Borchers, Dr. Loren Owensby, Dr. Uri Gonik, Samuel Clegg, Joe Bland, Terry Cullen, Simon Cornelius, Jerry Lenz, Don Hinds, and the Honorable Judge Frank Crain.
Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home Chapel, 1801 E. Red River. A private burial will be held at the K-8 Ranch at a later date.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Museum of the Coastal Bend located at Victoria College, Hospice of South Texas, or donor's choice.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the primary caregivers, Odell Benavides, Cheri King, and the hospice staff.
Colonial Funeral Home
As a respected pillar of the community, Bill served on a number of community boards and organizations, including the Victoria Fine Arts Association, the Regional Museum Association, the Victoria Symphony, the 100 Club, and the Chamber of Commerce.
The Gerald T. Donoghue family moved to Goliad in 1943, where shortly after WWII they established the Donoghue Arabian Horse Farm. Bill was an avid participant in all aspects of his family's business activities and was instrumental in preserving the prestigious Donoghue Arabian bloodlines. The horse, no matter what breed, was always in his heart.
Bill graduated from New Mexico Military Institute in 1952. He entered the University of Virginia, achieving a Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree in 1954. He will also be remembered for establishing, with classmate and friend Don Hanna, the first active polo team at UVA.
Bill enlisted in the United States Army after graduation and obtained an officer's commission as a second lieutenant. The following year, Bill successfully completed the Armored Officers Basic Course and was sent to Germany with the 3rd Armored Division. He was discharged from active duty by the U.S. Army in 1957 and remained in Germany. He continued to serve as a reserve officer until honorably discharged in 1964 with the rank of captain.
While in Germany, Bill fell in love and married Christa Neidhardt, April 6, 1957, a beautiful and intelligent young entrepreneur with an established business of her own. With Bill's zest for life and insatiable appetite for learning, the duo became a formidable pair in a multifaceted partnership. As Bill's interest and knowledge of antique clocks, furniture, art and collector of firearms continued, his expertise was rarely rivaled.
Bill and Christy returned to Victoria in 1961 and established an extraordinary gallery specializing in fine European antiques and interior design. Christy Donoghue Antiques, constructed in 1973, became a landmark gallery and showroom for some of the most notable collections of European antiques in Texas. Expansion and diversification continued into the 80's when estate and designer jewelry were introduced to an ever growing clientele.
Bill Donoghue was awarded a diploma in 1991 from the Gemological Institute of America as graduate gemologist, adding one more credential to a long list of lifetime accomplishments.
Bill and Christy elected to close Christy Donoghue Fine Jewels and Antiques in 1999 after 50 years of combine business in Europe and America and divided their time between the K-8 Ranch near Placedo and their residence in Victoria.
William Thomas Donoghue was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Timothy Huggins Donoghue.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Christy Donoghue; daughters, Charli Donoghue Jett and husband Todd and Hilary Donoghue Blackmon and husband Shaun; grandson T.J. Coppola; sister, Clare Donoghue Beck and husband Tommy; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Jerry Crabtree, Dr. Larry Riedel, Dr. Charles Borchers, Dr. Loren Owensby, Dr. Uri Gonik, Samuel Clegg, Joe Bland, Terry Cullen, Simon Cornelius, Jerry Lenz, Don Hinds, and the Honorable Judge Frank Crain.
Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home Chapel, 1801 E. Red River. A private burial will be held at the K-8 Ranch at a later date.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Museum of the Coastal Bend located at Victoria College, Hospice of South Texas, or donor's choice.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the primary caregivers, Odell Benavides, Cheri King, and the hospice staff.
Colonial Funeral Home
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
