William J. Donecker, son of Jacob and Lydia (Krupp) Donecker, was born March 19, 1830, at Weaversville, Northampton County. He was engaged for five years as a blacksmith, then as a miller for three years. Afterward he learned the carpenter trade, but for twenty-five years was engaged as a car inspector for the C. R. R. of N. J. Later he was the engineer at the Schneck & Bear furniture factory, Allentown, where he remained until his retirement, about ten years before his death, which occurred with his son-in-law, Mr. E. J. Rapp, Allentown, on Jan 24, 1914, aged 83 years, 10 months and 5 days. He had lived at Catasauqua from 1869 to 1886. Up until three years before his death he was in perfect health. His memory for historical occurrences was almost remarkable and he was a veritable reference library for dates. He was one of the pioneers of the Evangelical Church, aiding greatly in building up that denomination, and at the time of his death was a member of Trinity United Evangelical Church. He was thoroughly converted by the preaching of Rev. Hummel, at Weaversville in 1851, and at that time joined the church, which he served devoutly as exhorter, class leader, trustee, Sunday school teacher and superintendent. During the eruption of the church in 1892, he sided with the so-caned "Minority, not the United Evangelicals.

In 1856, he married Elizabeth, a daughter of Jonathan Reinhart. She died in 1887, aged 56 years. The union was blessed with four children, one of whom, William J. Jr. died in youth. The surviving children are: Orrin Charles, whose history follows: Emma R., wife of Edward J. Rapp, whose history appears elsewhere in this volume; and Edwin A., whose history follows.