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WILLIAM O'CONNELL Obituary


William Benedict O'Connell, Jr.  (Age 88)  
Of Arlington, Virginia passed away on November 28, 2020 from complications of ALS. Bill was born in Washington, DC to William B. O'Connell, Sr. and Catherine Christy, the fourth of five children. He graduated from the University of Maryland and received his Law Degree from Georgetown University. He was a member of the Virginia and Washington, D.C. Bar Associations and practiced law for over fifty years until one month ago. He was a pilot in the U.S. Navy on active duty for four years and remained in the reserves until retirement with the rank of CDR. Bill is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marianne and their son William Brien, (Svetlana); granddaughter Rebecca Schaljo Russo and grandson Asher Peter O'Connell; sister Catherine Leveroni McGinnis of Cotuit, Massachusetts and brother Dr. Jerome T. O'Connell of Washington, DC; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. His parents, his sisters Mary Ellen Keating of Harrisburg, PA and Ann Frye of Dallas, TX predeceased him. The family has scheduled a private Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown, which will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. Arrangements for Zoom viewing are being made . A memorial service and celebration of life will be held next year when it is safe to congregate. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army or Make a Wish Foundation.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Dec. 6, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
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3 Entries

Linda Giammattei

December 19, 2020

Bill was always a warm, kind, and gracious person. It was fun engaging him in conversation knowing he would always add something of interest and knowledge...and a story to add to it. I feel a great sense of sadness to know that he is gone - a loss to all of us who knew him.

Eugenia

December 12, 2020

I wasn’t lucky to meet to Mr O Connell,but I am very sorry for hiss los.I must thank him for encouraging his son,Billy for travelling and meeting countries at his young time and so to meet and excellent person,raised in a family environment of virtues,love and respect.DEP

Lynda Young

December 6, 2020

So Blessed to have know Bill and Marianne for over 50 yrs. Bill's smile always made you feel welcome.

Glenn and Lynda

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