William J. O'Neill

William J. O'Neill "Bill" Sept. 8, 1919 - Sept. 16, 2009 Resident of Fremont Born in Fargo, North Dakota on September 8, 1919. He lived there for 12 years when his family moved to Seattle, Washington. He graduated from St. Joseph's Grade School and Seattle Prep High School. In February, 1941 he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Australia for two years. After the two years, he was sent home and, while spending a few weeks with his family, he met Marie Harrington. After his discharge in 1944, he got a job at the Oregon Shipyards, where his eldest brother, Jack, was working. He worked there until the end of the war and then returned to Seattle to go to college to become an engineer. He spent one year at Seattle University while courting Marie. They were married on September 14th 1946. In February, 1947, they moved to Dillon, Montana to operate a snack bar and student union at the Western Montana College of Education. Ultimately he graduated from there with a degree in education. He started his teaching career in Ennis, Montana, and, after three years, moved his growing family to Kalispell, Montana, where he taught elementary and junior high school. Bill and Marie moved the family to Fremont, California in 1962 where Bill continued his teaching career at Walters, Hopkins, Robertson and Horner Junior High Schools, and Washington High School. He retired in 1984. His joys over the years included hunting, fishing, boat building, day trips in the car, exploring tide pools, working on his beloved cabin down by the ocean and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Marie and five children; James (father of two) Thomas (father of three) Danette , William (father of two); and Kevin. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation Sunday, September 20th from 3:30-6:00 p.m. with a 4:00 p.m. vigil held at Berge-Pappas-Smith Chapel of the Angels, 40842 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA. Funeral mass will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 21st. held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, 41933 Blacow Rd, Fremont, CA. Burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. For further information please call: Berge-Pappas-Smith Chapel of the Angels 510-656-1226