Donald W. Bilal

Donald Wali Bilal (Donnie), age 68, passed away on August 14th, 2018, in Murray, Utah. He was born on October 15th, 1949, in Auburn, Kentucky, to Robert Blakey Sr. and Mary Viers-Blakey. He married Ana Maria Bilal January 24th, 2003 (Emma L. Blakey-Bilal June 28th, 1969 – July 28th, 1999).
Don loved spending time with his family, traveling, studying and teaching what he would refer to as passing the “torch of knowledge”. Don enjoyed working with computers, he was considered a master mathematician and incorporated his skill into everyday life. Don maintained a career as a CADS Engineer with GMC (Detroit Diesel Allison) and Best Loc Corporation until retiring. Don was counselor/mentor to many, rather neighborhood children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, along with world renown individuals such as Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. Don enjoyed the sport of boxing, he participated in the Golden Glove Boxing Tournaments as a young man. Don remained active in the study of Islam he served the Muslim community as Treasurer and later to become an Imam. Don served for several years as Neighborhood Community President in Indianapolis, Indiana where he initiated neighborhood park programs, the naming of “Cowherd Park” along with a host of other positive community initiatives. Don was not only a shining light to others he also was a star on film as a stand-in double for James Earl Jones’s scenes on “Touched by An Angel” in Salt Lake City, Utah. Don loved life.
He is survived by Children – Donald Wali Ibn Bilal (Dawn Blakey), Donita E. Summers (George Summers), D’Adrieanna A. Roberts, Emma A. Bilal, Abdullah H. Bilal (Michelle Bilal), Willie Samaniego (Amy Samaniego), and Derlis Samaniego (Maria Samaniego). Siblings – Charles Blakey (Margarite Blakey), Peggy Blakey, Rochelle Butler, Calvin Blakey, Melvin Blakey (Bertha Blakey) with Twenty-One Grandchildren, One Great-Grandchild along with a host of nieces, nephews, uncles, and aunts.
He is preceded in death by Parents – Robert Blakey Sr., Mary Viers-Blakey, Wife – Emma L. Blakey-Bilal, Siblings – Cecil Blakey, Richard Blakey, Nursakee S. Bilal, and Linda Wallace.
Funeral services will be held August 18, 2018 at 2:00 PM with a viewing from 12:00 – 2:00 PM at Memorial Redwood Mortuary and Cemetery. Interment to follow funeral services at same location.
Service Information
Viewing August 18, 2018 at 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Memorial Redwood Mortuary and Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT, 84123





Funeral Service
August 18, 2018 at 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Memorial Redwood Mortuary and Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT, 84123