William T. "Billy" Connolly

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Florida Atlantic University

William Connolly Obituary

Family-Placed Funeral Notice

WILLIAM T “Billy”CONNOLLY Age 60, passed away January 14, 2007. A decorated Airborne Vietnam Veteran, he loved God, his Country, and his family. Billy truly cared about everyone he met, especially children. At the young age of 22, Billy was injured at work and spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair. He was a fearless man, an inspiration and friend to all who knew him. Even with the hardship of being a quadriplegic, Billy never quit. He attended Florida Atlantic University, and received a Bachelor degree. Bill is survived by his son Jarrod and family, his father and mother George and Grace Breuninger. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, John, Shirley, Paul, Bruce, Marie, George and wife Krista, Robert and wife Dale, as well as many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. A memorial service was conducted by an Army Honor Guard. To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries

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Published by The Palm Beach Post on Feb. 6, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for William Connolly

8 Entries

John Connolly

March 5, 2007

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. Even the U. S. Army helped us to be together.
Now that Billy has gone to heaven to be with God it is so hard not to be selfish and wish we could continue our lives here on earth together. On Sunday Jan. 14, 2007 the world grew colder when we lost Billy. My life will never be the same without my "Special Little Brother". His untimely death has left a tremendous void in our loving family. We all are so happy for him because we know he is "Free at Last" from his Quadraplegia. God bless you Bo Bo, we all miss you deeply and can't wait to be reunited with you in Heaven with our Lord.
Love Always,
Brother John

tyler james breuninger

February 13, 2007

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 20 years of life. The last words he said to me was"well, bye TyTy,do good in school I love you" and I said "I love you too Uncle Bill, happy birthday". He had the most wonderful last day. If he were alive he would have called to tell everyone how much fun he hdad and how he loved us. He said that it was the best birthday he ever . He always had amazing stories abouth the war and how crazy things happened to him. i remember having wheelchair rides on his lap. My nephew Draven loved Uncle Bill too. Uncle Bill let Draven sit on his lap and they went full speed across the yard. Everyone was scared but Uncle Bill laughed very hard. And i will miss him but I will see him again some day . So I love ya Uncle Billy and I hope you are happy in Heaven without a wheelchair in Hawaii.
Love Tyler James Breuninger

tyler james breuninger

February 13, 2007

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 20 years of life. The last words he said to me was"well, bye TyTy,do good in school I love you" and I said "I love you too Uncle Bill, happy birthday". He had the most wonderful last day. If he were alive he would have claaed to tell everyone how much fun he hdad and how he loved us. He said that it was the best birthday he ever . He always had amazing stories abouth the war and how crazy things happened to him. i remember having wheelchair rides on his lap. My nephew Draven loved Uncle Bill too. Uncle Bill let Draven sit on his lap and they went full speed across the yard. Everyone was scared but Uncle Bill laughed very hard. And i will miss him but I will see him again some day . So I love ya Uncle Billy and I hope you are happy in Heaven without a wheelchair in Hawaii.
Love Tyler James Breuninger

Liz Romano

February 9, 2007

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 END LOVE AND NEITHER DOES DEATH.I WILL KEEP BIILY ALWAYS IN MY HEART AND THANK THE LORD FOR THE LOVE WE SHARED WITH EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART AND EVERY BREATH THAT I TAKE. REST IN GOD'S PEACE. I LOVE YOU, LIZ.

dale breuninger

February 8, 2007

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.... : (

Jennifer Tedesco

February 8, 2007

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.

Aimee Lyssenko

February 6, 2007

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

Diane Alperin

February 6, 2007

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

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