Bill O'Neal

John William "Bill" O'Neal wasn't born on April 8, 1942. Rather, he galloped into existence in Corsicana, Texas riding a bucking horse on that date! When he was a little boy, he spent treasured hours at the Ideal, Palace and Grand Theatres in Corsicana riding the range with Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. His parents, Mr. William Causby "Bud" and Mrs. Jessie Lucille O'Neal, taught him to love God, and Bill was a devoted Christian till he rode off into the sunset on November 3, 2025.

Bill started writing stories when he was just a young cowpoke, and when he grew up, he spent many delightful days writing about the American West. His four daughters, Lynn, Shellie, Berri and Causby, rode shotgun with him on his adventurous research trips, and Bill's devotion to his girls knew no bounds. Ever interested in his daughters' lives and dreams, he faithfully attended their ballgames, concerts, and play performances. He continued this tradition with his grandchildren.

Bill began his teaching career as a high school football coach in Anna, Waskom, and Lampasas, and always willing to wear multiple hats, he was also called upon to serve as principal and Spanish teacher! He began teaching at Panola College in 1970, and he spent four decades there giving lectures, often appearing in costume. On any given day, he could be seen strolling across campus as a Revolutionary War officer, a frontiersman, or a medieval lord.

Mr. O'Neal loved giving talks about history, and though he made appearances on TBS, The History Channel, The Learning Channel, CMT, and A & E, no engagement and no town was too small! He loved telling everyone about history, and his motto was, "You don't know who you are till you know who you were!"

Bill was a lifelong Baptist, and he served as department coordinator and Sunday School teacher for decades at Central Baptist Church in Carthage, Texas.

Bill lassoed a number of awards during his time riding the range. He served two terms as State Historian of Texas (his wife Karon proudly bore the title "Chief of Staff" for that office, riding with him across Texas to passels of appearances); he received the A C Greene Literary Award in 2015; the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wild West History Association; True West Magazine's Best Living Non-Fiction Writer for 2007; the NOLA Book of the Year for his book, The Johnson County War; and an Honorary Doctor of Letters from his beloved alma mater, East Texas A&M University. Bill was a prolific writer, authoring 59 books.

Bill leaves behind devoted family in this earthly corral: survivors are his daughter, Lynn O'Neal Martinez and son-in-law Rudy Martinez of Corpus Christi, Texas; daughter Shellie O'Neal of Corsicana, Texas; daughter Berri O'Neal Gormley and son-in-law Drew Gormley of Colleyville, Texas; daughter Causby O'Neal Henderson and son-in-law Dusty Henderson of Van Alstyne, Texas; sister Judy O'Neal Smith of Lampasas, Texas; and brother Mike O'Neal and sister-in-law Jerilynn O'Neal of Carrollton, Texas. His grandchildren are Chloe and Camille Martinez, Jessie Martinez, Bailey and Casey Leath, Kendall Henderson, Addie Gormley, Nolan Gormley, and Reagan Gormley. He also leaves behind beloved nieces and nephews: Chris Smith, Molly Johnson, Ross O'Neal, Ryan O'Neal, Shelley Davis James, Brent Davis, Kyle Ashby, and Katy Ashby.

The final round-up for Bill will be: Visitation at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home, Carthage on Thursday, November 6 from 5-8 pm, and funeral on Friday, November 7 at 11 am at Central Baptist Church in Carthage, Texas. The graveside service will be held at Pattison Cemetery in Emhouse, Texas on Friday, November 7 at 4:00 pm. Cowhands (pallbearers) are Dusty Henderson, Drew Gormley, Rudy Martinez, Don Clinton, Greg Powell, Casey Leath, Darren Wilkerson, and Nolan Gormley. Trail bosses (Honorary pallbearers) are Larry McNeill and Mike O'Neal. Officiating the funeral will be Dr. Charles Dodson, longtime friend and pastor of the O'Neal family.

The family requests that any memorial donations be given to Central Baptist Church of Carthage, Texas.

We wish you happy trails, Bill, and we thank you for blazing a clear and picturesque trail so we could ride, romp, and explore with you!