William F. Rooney

He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts to William F. and Lillian (Broderick) Rooney. The oldest of three sons, he grew up with brothers Paul and David in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Moving to Portland, he graduated from the University of Portland. His business career began with Georgia-Pacific Corporation and later Louisiana-Pacific Corporation in their Corporate Communications Departments.

In 1962, Bill married Kathleen Walsh of Burlington, Iowa and together they raised five sons in a mellow 1915 Greek Colonial home in Northeast Portland. He authored six books, numerous magazine articles, was host for 15 years on a Saturday morning do-it-yourself radio show on KXL called Around the House with Bill Rooney, and for 15 years taught adult education courses at Portland Community College related to home improvement.

“When you have an older home, five active sons, and a parade of large rambunctious dogs, you quickly become a D-I-Y expert.” Bill explained.

He spent as much time as possible in his workshop where he loved the smell of freshly cut wood and the magic of a keenly-honed tool blade. He was an active amateur furniture maker, enthusiastic woodcarver, and a skilled wood turner who produced decorative and practical holiday gifts.

It was important to Bill to give back to his community and he served on a number of non-profit boards including SMACCO, Rebuilding Together, and the Madeleine Church Buildings and Grounds Committee. Later he applied his marketing skills mentoring small business owners through the SCORE Association.

He is survived by Kathleen, his wife of 60 years, his brother Dave, sons Peter (Kimberly), Brian, Matthew, Michael, and Mark (Betsy). He is blessed with three granddaughters and two grandsons.