Obituary: William W. "Bill" O'Connell - Class of 1955

MOUNT HOREB - William W. "Bill" O'Connell Jr., age 73, of Mount Horeb, died on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at HospiceCare, Inc. in Fitchburg, surrounded by his family. He was born on March 20, 1937, to William W. Sr. and Margaret (Meuer) O'Connell. He attended Catholic schools and graduated from Madison Central High School in 1955. He was a United States Marine veteran. He owned and operated many businesses, including one with his son, Bob. He then joined Century 21 as a realtor. He married Karen A. Dybvig on Sept. 18, 1993, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church by Father Donald Murray. Bill was a family man. Looking back, it especially seemed as if from the birth of his granddaughter, Tonya, she and Bill instantly became kindred spirits. That relationship matured over the years to become unique and special. They took many walks to her grade school playground, and Tonya showed a timeless devotion and compassionate, loving care to her grandpa. Tonya - please know that your acts of kindness brought great joy, love, and happiness to your Grandpa Bill. He was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Mount Horeb, and of the Knights of Columbus, where he was an officer. He was on the Mount Horeb Frolic Committee and was past president of the Village of Blue Mounds. He volunteered at the St. Martin's House in Madison. Survivors include his wife, Karen; his children, Bill (Mary) O'Connell of Waunakee, Deb (Jerry Buol) Darrow; his step-children, Denise (Steve) Webb of Middletown, Ohio, Derek (fiancé, Kristin) Kraemer of Stoughton, Dustin (Nicole) Kraemer of Mount Horeb; his grandchildren, Daniel (fiancé: Natalie) O'Connell, Tonya (Tom) Duerst, Shaun (Erin) O'Connell, Dalton O'Connell, Kelsey Darrow, Patrick O' Connell, Morgan Darrow, Caitin O'Connell; his step-grandchildren: Shelby, Rylee, and Sydnee Webb and Owen Kraemer,his great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Maya and Mayce Duerst, his mother-in-law: Elaine Parker of Mount Horeb, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Danny and Robert O'Connell; and his sister, Margaret O'Connell. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, at ST. IGNATIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH in Mount Horeb, with Father Donald Murray officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Mount Horeb. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010, at the ELLESTAD CAMACHO FUNERAL HOME, 500 N. 8th St., Mount Horeb. The family would like to thank HospiceCare, Inc. for their wonderful care and compassion.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 14, 2010 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)