Marc Edward Donaldson

The world became a little dimmer and heaven a little brighter on August 1, 2022, when Marc Edward Donaldson passed away of natural causes in Gig Harbor, Washington.  Marc was born September 1, 1957 in Billings, Montana to Ed and Vonnie Donaldson, and was the youngest of four boys.  He graduated from Butte High School in 1975.  Marc used his musical gifts to put himself through college at Montana State University by playing at various venues in Bozeman with his brother Brad.  Marc earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1980.  He also earned and maintained his Professional Engineering Certifications in both Montana and Washington.

During a backyard ceremony on August 18, 1984, Marc married the love of his life, Christie Wills.  Together they created a beautiful family with Ricky and Heidi, and a year later the family was completed with the birth of their daughter Melissa.

Marc loved to reminisce with his brothers about his childhood days in Everett, Washington.  The family moved to Butte, Montana when Marc was in the fourth grade.  When the brothers were all together, the room was filled with love, laughter, and music.  Marc and his dad had a very special bond especially when it came to music.  Marc gained his love of music and his dry sense of humor from his dad.  He continued to make music a large part of his life, playing in numerous bands in and around Butte.

While in college, Marc completed an internship at the Montana Power Company, which resulted in a 30-year career.  He was also a member of various boards within the power industry.  In addition, Marc was appointed to the Butte-Silver Bow Tax Increment Finance Improvement District Board (TIFID) in the mid 1990’s.  After retiring from NorthWestern Energy (formerly the Montana Power Company), Marc took his talents to OATI for a short time before continuing his career at Tacoma Public Utilities where he made many new friends.   

Marc was most proud of the family he and Christie created together.  Everything he did was for them.  He instilled in his children his strong moral compass, his passion for knowledge, his dedication to family, but most of all his love for the MSU Bobcats!  The family’s many vacations to Disneyland, summers spent at Canyon Ferry Lake, and becoming a Grandpa, were the most joyous moments in Marc’s life.

Marc is survived by his wife Christie, his cherished daughters Heidi Donaldson of Port Orchard, WA, and Melissa (Josh) Cornell of Bremerton, WA; his four precious grandchildren, Chloe & Hayleigh Vetack, Grayson & Parker Cornell; his brothers Steve (Cindy) Donaldson of Butte, Greg (Rina) Donaldson of Bozeman; sisters and brothers-in-law Lee & Julie Graham, Pete & Margie Laketa, Scott & Lori Sholey, Mike & Susie Carr; much loved nieces, nephews, cousins, many treasured friends, and of course, his loyal companion Rylee.

Marc was preceded in death by his beloved son Ricky, his parents, his brother Brad, and his mother and father in-law Nancy and Dick Wills.

Marc, we know you could fix almost anything, and although you can’t fix our broken hearts, your strength and love will continue to guide us.  Fly high with the angels.  Thank you for loving us!

Services will be held on Tuesday, August 16th at 1:00 p.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 2100 Farragut, Butte, Montana.  Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.  The celebration of Marc’s life will continue at the Butte Brewing Company, at 465 E. Galena Street.

In honor of the Ultimate Bobcat Fan, we encourage you to wear your Blue and Gold.

A celebration of life for Marc will also be held in Gig Harbor, Washington at a later date.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marc Edward Donaldson, please visit our floral store.