William-O'Neal-Obituary

Dr. William J. O'Neal

Toledo, Ohio

Jul 13, 1933 – Oct 29, 2020 (Age 87)

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BORN
July 13, 1933
DIED
October 29, 2020
AGE
87
LOCATION
Toledo, Ohio

Obituary

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Dr. William J. O'NealDr. William J. O'Neal, age 87, passed away peacefully at home in Toledo on Thursday, October 29th, 2020.Bill was born July 13th, 1933, to Wilson B. and Alice Pauline O'Neal of Kokomo, IN. He is predeceased by Fran, his beloved wife of 56 years, as well as brothers Charles,...

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I had the pleasure of being a student of both Mrs. O’Neal and Dr. O’Neal (SFS ‘83 and UT ‘87) and both are in my thoughts and prayers. I have amazingly positive memories of my classes with both Dr. and Mrs. O’Neal and the impact they both had on me is huge. While I did take a left turn from my Classics degree and went to UT Law School, I have recounted numerous times that the foundation of my high school years (and my favorite teachers Mrs. O’Neal and Mr. Larcher) and my liberal arts/classics...

I was an undergraduate student of Dr. O'Neal's. I took every class I could from him from 1986-1989. I remember in particular an honors classics class I took from him that we attended in the law school. It felt so important to be there with such a scholar! He invited everyone from that class to his beautiful home in Westmoreland. We marveled at the antiquities in his home. I adored him.

My wife Lina and I first met Bill and Fran O'Neal 50 years ago when I joined the faculty at the University of Toledo teaching French in the foreign language department, where Bill was teaching Classics. Over the years I became close to Bill as a respected colleague and friend as we discussed all manner of university and world affairs. We socialized quite frequently with the O'Neals during dinners in our homes. Parties at their house were always extra-special. Bill made our trip to Rome very...

Heart-felt condolences and sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Dr. O'Neal, my favorite and most admired instructor through my undergrad years at UT 1969-73: I took every course he taught (except for only quarters of Ancient Greek), then he graded my doctoral exam in Ancient History in '81. Many special memories of a true gentleman scholar whom I was honored to know whose knowledge I can only hope to have passed on to my own students. Eternal Rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let...

Bill and Fran were such great people, and they were always so welcoming. I know how hard it had to be for Bill after Fran died last year, and now they have been reunited. Thank God for that. Picture from the great SFS teacher trip to France in 1993. Unfortunately no pic of Bill, but because of that trip, I got to know Fran, and then Bill, as such good people! Also were members, as I still am, of Corpus Christi Univeristy Parish for so many years. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,...