Horace Albert O’Neill

Born December 10, 1939, in Alice, Texas, Horace Albert O’Neill; died January 30, 2025, in Corpus Christi, Texas at the age of 85. Being treated for a combination of Multiple Myeloma and skin cancer over the past 10 years, he finally gave up his battle and went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout his fight he always praised the amazing healthcare workers who fought valiantly alongside of him. He referred to them as “wonderful people”. We’ve no doubt he kept them laughing with his sense of humor, even as he was receiving treatment.

Living in Alice, Texas, Horace worked for Field Drilling Company. He started from the bottom and worked his way up to Regional Manager. In his many years there, he would see the company change ownership numerous times. During that period of his life, he would move his family to Riverton, Wyoming, where he stayed for almost 20 years. He would also lose his first wife, Wynell, to breast cancer and eventually marry again to Sharon O’Neill. Upon retiring from the oilfield, he moved to Casper, Wyoming and purchased B&B Auto Electric. Though rebuilding alternators, generators, and starters, as well as battery sales and auto electric troubleshooting was the business, the craft was keeping local individuals and many businesses across Wyoming up and running. Throughout it all, he enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting, and riding snowmobiles and motorcycles.Retiring once again after his second marriage ended in divorce, he decided to move back to Texas and settled in Riviera at the Riviera Beach RV Park.

Horace loved this last chapter of his life. He met and married the final love of his life, Gladys O’Neill. He treasured the friendships he developed with the “Winter Texans” who came from across the country looking for the warm weather during the cold winters of home. He was the handyman of the park, mowing the grass, lending a hand to all, and helping to build a clubhouse for all to enjoy. His shed had anything and everything in it for all who needed it. The saying was “If Horace didn’t have it in his shed, they wouldn’t have it in town at the hardware store either.” When his wife Gladys passed away, he would never remarry. He missed her dearly for the final 8 years of his life.

Horace is survived by his children Barbara Chilton (Rock), Rhonda Dailey (Michael), Jeff Giddings (Susan), Michael Hawkins (Lesa); second wife Sharon O’Neill; sister Jeanette Scott; brothers Kenneth O’Neill (Lanelle), Gerald O’Neill; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Paula, first wife Wynelle O’Neill, daughters Shirley Kovaleski and Brenda Burgess, third wife Gladys O’Neill, stepdaughters SheilaHudson and Pam Hadley, sons Bobby O’Neill and Michael Giddings.

Per Horace’s wishes, he will be cremated and no service will be held. On February 5, 2025, sixty-five members of his family and friends came together to share a meal and stories of Horace. He will be greatly missed.