William E. McNulty

William Edward "Bill" McNulty, 87, passed into the loving hands of the Lord on May 25, 2022 after three years of battling cancer with the same courage, dignity and grace he lived his life. Bill was born to James and Kathleen McNulty on January 9, 1935 in Evanston, IL where he grew up and graduated from St. George Catholic High School. After graduation he served two years in the US Navy Construction Battalion Reserves.

Having married his high school sweetheart, Deanie (Wellcome), they moved to Lake Zurich where they raised their children, Sharon Kay and Michael McNulty. Twenty years later, Bill moved to Lake Barrington where he resided with his wife of 40 years, Nancy (Fischer). Bill became an electrical lineman in his early twenties, working over 30 years for Contracting & Material Company and was proud to have celebrated his 65th year in International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 9. His career success can be attributed to his ability to problem solve, trouble-shoot and a quick, inventive mind. He retired in 2001 from Cir/Con Electrical Industries, which he founded with his childhood friend and partner, Ross Schliesmann.

Bill was born and lived his whole life with a child-like curiosity and unbridled sense of adventure. Being a natural born athlete, he could be found at batting cages, basketball courts, golf courses and fishing camps with his grandchildren. He always maintained a “vacation home” somewhere; from the UP to southern Wisconsin to South Florida. He and Nancy loved to share these special places with family and all their friends. Over the years he owned many boats, many horses and many “toys”. He loved to swim, ride horses, water-ski, tool around the lake, snowmobile, skate, downhill ski, hunt, golf. There was no sport he wouldn’t try and he loved being outdoors on the water. Most of all, he loved to drive and he loved to travel. He and Nancy would jump in the car and go Southwest in the Winter and East in the Fall visiting family and friends all over the country. Bill and his brother-in-law, Jim Fischer even drove all the way to Puerto Vallarta, MX one year as they started to spend winters south of the border and eventually at his “vacation home” on the beach on Hutchinson Island in Florida.

It was obvious to all who knew Bill that it gave him great joy to put a smile on everyone’s face, whether he did it with his kindness, his humble generosity or his “killer” sense of humor and unique “one-liners”. Words heard over and over again about Billy (Memo) McNulty include: Kind, Generous, Hysterically Funny, A Great Guy and a Trustworthy, Foxhole Friend. He will be missed by so very many people. He ended every phone call with the phrase, “Good Night and God Bless”

He is survived by his daughter, Sharon Kay Zasadil (Gary Spencer) and Nancy's children, Sylvia Wojnicki (Peter), Steve Autterson and Kristen Knaak. Bill was close to and very involved in the lives of his grandchildren, Bill Zasadil (Lauren), Paul McNulty, Patrick McNulty (Carol Ann), Julie Koenig, Brandon Koenig (deceased), Laura, Michelle and Michael Tatone, Jarrod Autterson (deceased), Jamie Autterson Stotmore and Taylor Knight. Great-grandchildren, Jack and Lily Zasadil brought a sparkle to his eye and such joy to his heart. He also leaves behind his “baby sister”, Kathleen McNulty Camastro, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Nancy, his children’s mother, Deanie, his beloved son, Michael Patrick McNulty, his two brothers, Dick and Jerry McNulty along with his parents, James and Kathleen McNulty.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, an organization close to Bill’s heart.
Memorial visitation will be Saturday, June 18, 2022 from 11 AM until the 1:30 PM memorial service at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 941 S. Old Rand Rd., Lake Zurich, IL 60047. Interment will be private.

Good Night and God Bless