In Memory of JW McNulty

1941 – 2016

J. William “Bill” McNulty was born to John and Gladys McNulty in Casper, Wyoming. He moved his family to Reno in 1963 after graduating from Montana State. He was a partner in an accounting firm in Reno, Pieretti, Wilson & McNulty, and later returned to school for a Masters in Tax & eventually a Law Degree.

He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, uncle, friend and fisherman. He lived life to the fullest and was born to fish. He was a fisherman first and foremost and everything else fell in behind that. He said once that when he set the hook on a fish, it was like electricity between his fingers. He dreamed daily about fishing. His happiest days were right before fishing season started and saddest when it ended. When he worked downtown, he could be found at lunch fishing off the bridge in his suit and tie. His passion for fishing lives on in his fishing buddies and the family he leaves behind. He was an accomplished musician, artist, and gardener. Before his surgery he said that he was very happy with his life. He had done everything he set out to do and he was most proud of his sobriety, 26 years on February 9th. His first concern when diagnosed was if he was going to miss his fishing trip to Lake of the Woods, Canada in June.

He loved his family and was devoted to gently caring for his mother and then his wife Mike, whom he said was the biggest catch of his life. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Gladys McNulty, his niece Beth Sale and his beloved wife Mike. He is survived by his family who loved him dearly, sisters Jane Sale and Kathie (Evan) Russell; children Laurie (Steve and Ally) McLanahan, Robert (Mandy) McNulty, James (Greg) McNulty, Pam (Taylor and Brooke) Cohen, Bart (Lisa, Marin and Trenton) Fisher and last, but certainly not least, he leaves behind his beloved Westie Ghillie who provided him with hours of love and companionship. Bill is deeply missed by his family and his time on earth was much too short. We can take comfort only in that he is no longer in pain and millions of fish can now breathe a sigh of relief.

The family would like to thank Dr. Lough and Dr. Wrye for their compassionate care, the nurses at Renown hospital, Bob Wilson and Dom Pieretti for being such devoted lifelong friends.