William D. Tomany

William Donald Tomany of Reno, Nev., died Feb. 19. He was 70.

Tomany was born on Jan. 14, 1944, to Donald and Anne Tomany. He was well known and loved by many as Willie, Will, Bill or "beloved brother."

Proud of his Serbian heritage, Tomany was a generous and giving person and attended Tonopah schools and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). He was a great supporter of the University of Nevada Wolf Pack football and basketball program and supported the UNR marching band. While attending UNR, he was a member of the band and choir during a period in which they did concerts, radio and TV broadcasts, performing in towns throughout the state. Tomany adopted Las Vegas as his home after college and enjoyed following the "Running Rebels" basketball team, often traveling with fans to away games including the final four.

Tomany began his long and distinguished career with Reynolds Electric and Engineering Company under contract to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in 1964 as a radiation health technician. He was a member of the first Nuclear Emergency Response Team (NERT). His love and desire to serve in research and development in the United States nuclear weapons program was satisfied while working for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He became the nuclear explosive assembly facility manager at the Nevada Test Site and retired due to a medical condition in 1996.

Tomany fulfilled his duties as a true Nevadan and a proud American citizen in service to the nation's defense program. He was a proud member of the Las Vegas York Rite Association and the Tonopah Lodge Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Tomany was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Anne Tomany. He is survived by his brother, Edward (Belva) Tomani of Tonopah; sister, Tasha (Jerry) Hall of Reno; nephew, Mike (Maria) Hall of Reno; and cousins in the Lydon, Banovich and Tomany families.

Memorial donations in Tomany's name can be made to the Tonopah High School Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1349, Tonopah, Nev., 89049, Central Nevada Historical Society, P.O. Box 326, Tonopah, Nev., 89049, or Saint Mark's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 447, Tonopah, Nev., 89049. As he wished, a graveside service will be scheduled at a later date under the direction of Walton Funeral Home, Reno, Nev.