William D. "Oak" O'Connell

Georgetown, TX - William Dooley 'Oak' O'Connell, age 69, of Georgetown, Texas, passed away quietly January 12, 2018 having faced a debilitating disease with unparalleled grace. A Memorial Mass will be held at St John's Abbey Church on Tuesday, January 23, at 3:00 p.m. Bill was born in Oak Park, Illinois on August 25, 1948 to William and Margaret (Dooley) O'Connell. A graduate of Cathedral High School 1966 and St John's University 1970, "Oak" was a student of commitment as well as fun & frivolity.

William married Vicki Marie Barthelemy in 1969. Widowed, Bill married Jeanie Poe in 2004. He is survived by his wife Jeanie; daughters Cari Ann, Margaret Marie and son William Barthelemy O'Connell (Lisa); step-daughter Melissa Brattlof (John); sisters Kathleen Ahrens (John) and Ruth O'Connell; brothers Terrence (Denna), Daniel (Karen), Timothy (Jody), John (James Williams); grandchildren, Andy O'Connell, Brody Garland, William O'Connell and Victoria O'Connell, Matt Brattlof, Ellie Brattlof, Luke Brattlof and many nieces and nephews.

He worked as a CPA with Deloitte in until retirement in 2009; returning periodically to 'stay active.' Bill served on the Board of Regents, St. John's University in Collegeville. He was also on the Board of Directors for the Autistic Treatment Center of Dallas and Heartlight Ministries in Hallsville, Texas.

Bill was a member of First Baptist Georgetown where he served others selflessly; he enjoyed spreading the Word on his many missions trips that took him to Uganda, New York City, Ukraine and Mexico with the HeroMakers organization.

Bill lived life to the fullest, remembered as generous, out-going man who loved family and friends. He enjoyed anything 'Johnnies', the Vikings, and calling BINGO.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife of 34 years Vicki Marie O'Connell, and youngest brother Thomas "Duke" O'Connell

Memorials may be made to Cathedral High School Class of `66 Scholarship Fund or Saint John's University Student Scholarship Fund in Collegeville, MN.

Arrangements made by Ruth M. O'Connell, [email protected]

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

Published by St. Cloud Times on Jan. 17, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for William O'Connell

Sponsored by Ramsey Funeral Home & Crematorium.

10 Entries

patrick riley

February 4, 2018

I worked for Bill in 1984 &1985. He was the only boss that I truly liked and respected. So much so that we re-made contact and he and Jeanie came to my 50th birthday in Europe. What an amazing human being, what a privilege to know him, what a sadness in his early death. May he rest in peace.

Bonnie Undersander

January 23, 2018

My condolences to the O'Connell Family. Bill may you rest in Peace

January 22, 2018

God Bless you Billy. Rest in peace. Fair skies & following winds! Condolences to your family & friends.
Tim Haley

Randy Wulff

January 21, 2018

Our deepest condolences. I worked with Bill on a matter that lasted over two years. His unflagging good humor and common sense were as important as his exceptional intellect. He had a formidable skill set but was never full of himself. He will be sorely missed.

Anne Winter Cubley

January 21, 2018

Bill O'Connell was "The class of 1966 from CHS". Saw him at every reunion. We both went to St Mary's Grade School so there was an added connection for me. So much sympathy to his family-My prayers are with you all and will be offered for him.

January 19, 2018

My condolences to all of the fun loving O'Connel family. Love, Nancy Gruber

Rick Prow

January 19, 2018

I shared a few laughs with Bill at the 50th reunion. He hadn't changed in all those years. I will always have fond memories of him. He was a really "Good Guy".
Rick Prow

Sharon (Imholte) McKenzie

January 18, 2018

I had a chance to visit with Bill at our CHS 50th class reunion in 2017. What a guy ! A true leader and ambassador. His spirit and enthusiasm for life was awesome. Peace my friend.... Until we meet again. My condolences to his family.

Sharon McKenzie

January 18, 2018

I had a chance to visit with Bill at our 50th CHS class reunion in St Cloud, MN last year. What a guy ! Truly an ambassador and leader in our class. Always smiling, friendly and very personable with everyone, His spirit and enthusiasm for life will be missed. Until we meet again......Peace ! My condolences to his family.
Sharon (Imholte) McKenzie

Bill Bettendorf

January 18, 2018

Bill was a really top notch guy, someone who made his family and friends proud to know him. He treated people with respect and humor. Oak will be sadly and deeply missed, gone way too soon. My sympathy to the family.

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