William T. "Billy" Connolly

William Thomas Connolly, my younger brother. He was my lifelong best friend. We called him "Bo bo", it was just a nickname he picked up as a kid. As young boys we played football and baseball together, we roller skated and ice skated together. We had Long Branch Daily Record newspaper routes together. I guess the key word is together. As young adults we made a parachute jump from a C130 airplane in Fort Bragg, N.C. as we were both assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division by Uncle Sam. ...

UNCLE BILL was a loving Godfather who was always trying to be independent. He was the most amazing person. I think he changed the way everyone thought about life in such a good way. When I was little I used to have dreams of someone trying to get me and Uncle Bill would show up and let me sit on his lap and he would go really fast in his wheelchair to get away. He was always happy, even in his wheelchair.And he beat the odds by so many years. even before he died he looked forward to another...

UNCLE BILL was a loving Godfather who was always trying to be independent. He was the most amazing person. I think he changed the way everyone thought about life in such a good way. When I was little I used to have dreams of someone trying to get me and Uncle Bill would show up and let me sit on his lap and he would go really fast in his wheelchair to get away. He was always happy, even in his wheelchair.And he beat the odds by so many years. even before he died he looked forward to another...

BILLY AND I LOVED EACH OTHER AS KIDS. WE SPENT OUR TIME PLAYING SPORTS AND PLANNING OUR WEDDING. HE WAS EVERYTHING A GIRL COULD WANT. HE WAS STRONG, CONFIDENT,BRILLIANT,AMBITIOUS AND WOULD CERTAINLY CONQUER THE WORLD SOMEDAY.BILL MOVED TO FLORIDA. I STAYED IN N.J. WE MARRIED OTHER PEOPLE. OUR MARRIAGES FELL APART. WHEN I HEARD THAT BILL BROKE HIS NECK, I MOVED TO FLORIDA TO TAKE CARE OF HIM. WE MARRIED IN 1976. AFTER 8 YRS. OUR MARRIAGE FELL APART. BUT I LEARNED ONE THING...DIVORCE DOESN'T...

Our lives have changed since Billy has left us. His smile will last a lifetime in our memories. We never heard one complaint about being in a wheelchair or the obstacles he faced on a daily basis. We should all live by Billy's example and learn to take life as it comes our way..no matter what. We love you Bill, we miss you more than words could ever say and until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of his hands.Keep your eye on us all.... : (

Despite being in a wheelchair, my Uncle Bill was one of the toughest people I knew. He was a great Uncle to all of us and so fun to be around. One of my favorite memories of him was as a child riding on the back of his wheelchair. He never seemed to get tired of it. He will definitely be missed by all. I love ya Uncle Bill.

Billy was my "Florida Daddy" when I was a little girl. He was a very special person to me. I am very saddened by his passing. I am thankful that I saw him in the past few years and that he met my husband and my children. I know you are walking in heaven Billy! God bless you and your family. Love, Aimee

To the family of Bill Connolly: While I have not seen Bill in many years, I was one of his professors while he was a student at FAU. He was clearly an inspiration to all who had the good fortune to know him. With my thoughts and sympathy, Diane Alperin