Bill DonnellyWilliam Gerald Donnelly III was born in Davenport, Iowa in December 1958. He wrestled at nearby Bettendorf High School where he posted a 28-4-0 record, placing sixth at the Iowa high school state tournament at 128 pounds, according to his biography in the 1978-79 UNI wrestling media guide. Donnelly then headed northwest from the Quad Cities to Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he was a member of the Panther wrestling squad for coach Chuck Patten at 142 pounds.
Donnelly could count among his teammates NCAA champs Kirk Myers and Keith Poolman.
"(Donnelly) had injury problems and never wrestled first team but he had a heart of gold," Myers - three-time NCAA Division II champ at 190 pounds (1978-1980) - told InterMat Wednesday. "He was a very caring person. He was a UNI Panther in every sense of the word."
Jim Swieter, also a teammate of Donnelly's at UNI and native of Maquoketa, Iowa, posted this message on the CaringBridge.com website set up for the wrestler they called "Billy D":
"I was fortunate to have known your dad since high school," said the former Panther 150-pounder. "We grew up about 40 miles from each other and became friends through wrestling. We attended UNI together and were teammates. The brotherhood and bond of the sport enhanced our friendship along with many shenanigans during our college years. In 2007 we had a UNI reunion and I had a chance to spend time with your dad. We were in the same foursome for the golf tournament and had a blast."
"Your dad was such a great guy and respected by all of his friends and teammates," Swieter continued. "I will miss him as I'm sure you will too."
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