HomeNBAWho Is Bill Schonely Wife Dottie Schonely? Kids Family And Net Worth

Who Is Bill Schonely Wife Dottie Schonely? Kids Family And Net Worth

People are searching for Bill Schonely Wife, a sports broadcaster who recently passed away.

William W. Schonely, nicknamed “The Schonz,” was an American sports broadcaster who worked as the play-by-play announcer for the Portland Trail Blazers from their inception in 1970 until 1998.

In the 1950s, he began his broadcasting career as a sports reporter and anchor at several radio and television stations in the Pacific Northwest.

He became the Portland Trail Blazers’ play-by-play announcer in 1970, a position he kept for 25 years.

Also Read: Jayson Williams Murder: Was Charged In 2002 With The Accidental Shooting Death Of A Limo Driver

He became one of the NBA’s most beloved and recognized commentators. His zeal and passion for the game and in-depth knowledge of the game made him popular with Blazers fans and players alike.

Who Is Bill Schonely Wife Dottie Schonely? Meet His Wife

Schonely and his first wife, Barbara; his second wife, Dorothy “Dottie” Kehr, was his childhood sweetheart. 

They married on March 16, 1991, after reconnecting at their 50th high school reunion years after his divorce and her husband’s death. 

Bill Schonely Wife
Bill Schonely Speech At NBA (source: The Sports Grail)

Dorothy Schonely, Dottie Schonely’s full name, has been married to Bill Schonely for nearly 60 years. They met in the early 1980s and married in 1991.

Also Read: How Many Tattoo Does Tre Mann Have? Their Meaning And Design

Dottie Schonely is a reclusive lady who prefers to stay out of the spotlight. Therefore little is known about her. 

She has been a continuous presence in her husband’s life, supporting him throughout his long and successful broadcasting career.

While Dottie Schonely is not a well-known figure, those who know her regard and admire her. 

She is remembered for her friendliness, warmth, and generosity and is reported to have been a vital source of support for her husband throughout his career.

He was involved in charity work with the American Heart Association, Life Flight, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Providence Child Center Foundation.

He sang in his church choir, golfed, and enjoyed listening to big band music.

Who Are Bill Schonely Kids? Family Explored

Bill Schonely was married twice and had four children. Steve, his son, died after a fight with Cancer. He was 61 years old, attended high school in Seattle, and lived in Hawaii.

In the 1980s, one of his sons, Rick, worked as a statistician for the television crew. Bill Schonely died on January 21, 2023, at 93. The reason for death could not be determined right away.

Bill Schonely Wife
Bill Schonely During An Interview (source: NBA)

He retired from the organization after the 2021-22 NBA season after more than 50 years with the Trail Blazers.  

Schonely was the first child of Walter and Juanita Schonely and was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

He served in the Marine Corps and aired an overseas sports show for Armed Forces Radio.

Schonely subsequently went on to work as the voice of the Seattle Totems in the Western Hockey League and for radio station KVI in Seattle.

He treasured his community connections and began serving as a Trail Blazers Ambassador in 2003, supporting the team’s outreach program while keeping contact with the Rip City neighborhood.

Before joining the Trail Blazers, he worked as a sports broadcaster for the University of Washington football team, the Seattle Angels baseball team, the Oakland Seals of the National Hockey League, and the Seattle Pilots of Major League Baseball.

What Was Bill Schonely Net Worth Before His Death?

According to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider, Bill Schonely’s net worth is $5 million, and his principal source of income is as a sports Journalist.

Schonely was hired as the sixth team member in the organization’s history by founder Harry Glickman, who soon charged him with constructing a radio network to introduce Oregonians to the Trail Blazers organization.

During his time with the team, he invented numerous classic catchphrases, none more so than “Rip City,” which has become synonymous with the team and the city of Portland.

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular