Roy William Donley, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, died on June 6 in Sonoma. He was 94.
Roy lived most of his life in Los Angeles, including 20 years in Pacific Palisades, before moving to Sonoma in 2003. He was a loving and intelligent man, with boundless creativity and an infectious joie de vivre.
Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on August 13, 1913, Roy endured some hardships in his early life. His first big success came when he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UC Berkeley with a degree in architecture. He had a long and successful career as an architect, with his own architectural firm, Donley, Bundy & Associates. (His former partner, Bob Bundy, is a resident of the Palisades.)
Roy was a talented and successful water-color artist in his retirement, winning numerous awards, and was an active member of the Pacific Palisades Art Association. He volunteered his time and expertise with various organizations and committees in the L.A. area.
He married Elisabeth Brunner in 1943 and they remained happily married until 2005, when she died of a stroke, also in Sonoma.
Roy is survived by his daughter, Erin Collins (husband Francis); granddaughter Nicki Collins (husband Josh Willes); grandson Nate Collins (wife Anna); grandson Nolan Collins (wife Ileana); and great-grandchildren Olivia Willes, Elliette Willes, Mia Collins and Levi Collins.
No formal services were held. A private family celebration of his life was held on June 8 in Sonoma. He will be interred at Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills, with his wife Elisabeth and son Roy, Jr.
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