William C. O'Donnell, radio exec, actor's dad
Matthew Kruk
William C. O'Donnell, radio exec, actor's dad
By Maureen O'Donnell
Staff Reporter / modo...@suntimes.com
Dec 7, 2010 04:32PM
William C. O'Donnell worked in the high-pressure world of broadcasting,
where he gave sportscaster Brent Musberger his start, helped shepherd in
the fast-paced all-news format at WBBM-780 AM and ran WCFL-1000 AM.
But nothing was as important to him as his family. He and his wife,
Julie, created a warm, rambunctious homelife for their seven children,
who include actor Chris O'Donnell of the hit CBS-TV show "NCIS: Los
Angeles." Something delicious was always cooking in the kitchen, and any
kid from the neighborhood was welcome to wander in and fix a
grilled-cheese sandwich or a milkshake.
Mr. O'Donnell died Friday at his vacation home in Boca Grande, Fla. He
was 88.
Mr. O'Donnell spent the first half of his life in his hometown of St.
Louis, where he became a loyal Budweiser man. One beer in the evening
was his reward after a long day at work.
He worked in radio sales at KXOK in St. Louis, where his first five
children were born. Around 1968, he was promoted to WBBM in Chicago. He
moved to Los Angeles, where he worked in the early 1970s at CBS
affiliate KNXT before returning to the Midwest and became general
manager and president of WBBM radio, where, beside giving Musberger his
start, he also brought in the successful chat team of Bob and Betty
Sanders.
Mr. O'Donnell used to vacation in Douglas, Mich., where, in 1958, he met
Julie Rohs von Brecht. It was love at first sight.
"My dad said, 'You oughta marry a guy like me,' " said their son, Bill.
"And she said, 'I will.' ''
They were engaged in five days and wed three months later.
Their kids' friends were always welcome at their Winnetka house. "If you've
got seven," said Bill, "What's a few more?"
When Mr. O'Donnell came home from work, he changed into his comfortable
clothes and relaxed. Tantalizing smells came from the kitchen, where
Mrs. O'Donnell might be simmering a pot roast. In the winter, a blaze
would be going in the fireplace. In the summer, he'd be outside,
barbecuing ribs.
Their life was full of the comforting rituals. They ate dinner together
every night. At bedtime, the kids saw their parents on their knees,
praying. "He'd have a rosary in a little leather pouch, and every night
he'd kiss it and put it in his drawer," Bill O'Donnell said.
"When I was a kid, he went to mass every day," said Chris O'Donnell.
The family vacationed in Douglas at a family home next to the West Shore
Golf Club, where they all learned to love golf.
Sometimes they did driving vacations to Florida in their Caprice Classic
station wagon, with luggage on top; three people in the front seat;
three in the back - and another three in the "way back" in those
pre-seatbelt days.
If Mr. O'Donnell had anything extra, he spent it on the kids, not
himself. "Looking back, you realized the sacrifices he made to put seven
kids through school," Chris O'Donnell said.
He liked watching the St. Louis Cardinals; talking about team legend
Stan Musial, going hunting for ducks, geese and pheasant and dining on
the burgers at Charlie Beinlich's in Northbrook.
Mr. O'Donnell was a staunch fan of the Bulls and the Bears, and he had a
role in bringing the Bears to WBBM radio, Chris O'Donnell said.
Mr. O'Donnell always joked the tumultuous world of broadcasting would
sweep him away before he put in his 20 years to get a gold watch. In
1982, WBBM fired him, about one month shy of his 20th anniversary at the
station, saying he had a conflict of interest, Bill O'Donnell said. Mr.
O'Donnell had aired editorials that questioned the wisdom of burying
toxic waste while he had a financial interest in an incineration
company. CBS said the editorials could benefit his company. Mr. O'Donnell
said in news reports at the time, ''Speaking out in favor of not dumping
liquid toxic wastes is like being in favor of motherhood.''
He jumped to WCFL and later owned several radio stations in smaller
markets.
In their later years, the O'Donnells split their time between Chicago,
Michigan and Florida.
Mr. O'Donnell explored his Irish roots when son Chris was filming
''Circle of Friends'' with Minnie Driver. ''They went to O'Donnell's Pub
in [County] Kilkenny,'' Bill O'Donnell said. William and Julie O'Donnell
also visited their son when he was shooting in London and New Zealand,
Bill O'Donnell said.
Mr. O'Donnell is also survived by his daughters Angela Howenstein, Libby
Berner, Julie Murphy and Sally Groenings, and a sister, Betty Luth.
A funeral mass and burial are planned today in Missouri. A memorial mass
is scheduled at 3 p.m. Thursday at Saints Faith, Hope & Charity Church,
Winnetka.
Mr. O'Donnell delighted his 23 grandchildren with nonsensical sayings
like, "Maki-go-flocky.''
And, when Bill O'Donnell broke the news to his 6-year-old that his
grandfather had died, the boy said: "G'nite, Maki-go-flocky.''
Diner
> http://www.suntimes.com/news/obituaries/2718330-418/donnell-bill-chri...
>
> William C. O'Donnell, radio exec, actor's dad
> By Maureen O'Donnell
Hmm... I wonder if the writer is related? It's a common surname, of
course, but the paper could have added a note to clarify.
BTW, Chris O'Donnell, who is one of seven kids, has a big family of
his own - he and his wife have five kids.
Great obit. Thanks for posting it.
-Tim