William Joseph McDonald (June 17, 1904 – January 7, 1989) was an Irish-born bishop of the Catholic Church in the United States.

[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.

[1] 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.