McDonald was ordained a priest in San Francisco for the Archdiocese of San Francisco on June 10, 1928, and served as a parish priest before entering the academic field.[1][2] He received a master's degree and then doctorate from The Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, D.C. where he remained as a professor.[2] From 1957 to 1967, McDonald served as rector of CUA, the last person to hold that title before it was changed to president.[3] From 1960 to 1963, McDonald served as president of the International Federation of Catholic Universities and editor of the New Catholic Encyclopedia.[2]
Auxiliary Bishop of Washington
On March 17, 1964 Pope Paul VI appointed McDonald as the titular bishop of Aquae Regiae and as an auxiliary bishop of Washington. He was consecrated a bishop by Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi on May 19, 1964.[1] The principal co-consecrators were Archbishops Patrick O'Boyle and Joseph McGucken. McDonald attended the third and fourth sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome in 1964 and 1965.[1]
Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco
Paul VI appointed McDonald on July 26, 1967, as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. His resignation as auxiliary bishop was accepted by Pope John Paul II on June 5, 1979.[1]
William McDonald died of a heart attack in San Francisco on January 7, 1989, at the age of 84.[1][4][2]
