Name: Visitation for Dr. William J. O'Neal
Start: 2020-11-14T16:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-11-14T17:00:00.000Z
Location: Gesu Catholic Church

Dr. William J. O'Neal

Dr. William J. O'Neal, age 87, passed away peacefully at home in Toledo on Thursday, October 29th, 2020.

Bill was born July 13th, 1933, to Wilson B. and Alice Pauline O'Neal of Kokomo, IN. He is predeceased by Fran, his beloved wife of 56 years, as well as brothers Charles, Robert, Richard, and Cedric O'Neal.

Bill received his Ph.D. at the University of Missouri-Columbia, with specialization in ancient history and Augustan Age Poetry; his M.A. at Indiana University; and his B.A. from St. Meinrad Seminary

Bill met his wife and life partner, Fran, back in Indiana and they married on June 8th, 1963, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Carmel, IN. After living and teaching in various locations, Bill and Fran moved to Toledo where Bill received a joint appointment to the History and Foreign Language departments at the University of Toledo in 1969.

He was an extraordinary educator, whose passion for teaching and encyclopedic knowledge of the ancient world enthralled and inspired countless students throughout his career. During his 44-year tenure at the university, he served as Director of Graduate Studies and Department Chair of the Foreign Language department and later as the Department Chair of the History department. He was a Vatican Scholar and the recipient of numerous fellowships and awards, including an Outstanding Teaching Award in 1978. He also authored numerous publications.

While Bill and his dear Fran traveled the world together, Bill's particular love for Italy was well known to family, friends, and colleagues. He spent many summers researching in the Vatican Library, and enjoyed exploring all Rome had to offer.

He will be remembered with immense love and gratitude by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Gesu Catholic Church, 2049 Parkside Blvd. Toledo on Saturday, November 14th, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at noon. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. The Walker Funeral Home (419-841-2422) assisted the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fran A. O'Neal Scholarship at St. Francis de Sales School, 2323 W. Bancroft St. Toledo, OH 43607. Condolences may be shared with the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com

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

Published by The Blade from Nov. 8 to Nov. 13, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for William O'Neal

5 Entries

Tim Atkins

November 14, 2020

I had the pleasure of being a student of both Mrs. O’Neal and Dr. O’Neal (SFS ‘83 and UT ‘87) and both are in my thoughts and prayers. I have amazingly positive memories of my classes with both Dr. and Mrs. O’Neal and the impact they both had on me is huge. While I did take a left turn from my Classics degree and went to UT Law School, I have recounted numerous times that the foundation of my high school years (and my favorite teachers Mrs. O’Neal and Mr. Larcher) and my liberal arts/classics undergrad studies (Dr. O’Neal, Jim Larson, Richard Putney and Richard Krill) created a foundation which made me a better attorney, prosecutor and person. Rest In Peace

Martha (Rice) Ballinger

November 14, 2020

I was an undergraduate student of Dr. O'Neal's. I took every class I could from him from 1986-1989. I remember in particular an honors classics class I took from him that we attended in the law school. It felt so important to be there with such a scholar! He invited everyone from that class to his beautiful home in Westmoreland. We marveled at the antiquities in his home. I adored him.

Tim and Lina Scanlan

November 10, 2020

My wife Lina and I first met Bill and Fran O'Neal 50 years ago when I joined the faculty at the University of Toledo teaching French in the foreign language department, where Bill was teaching Classics. Over the years I became close to Bill as a respected colleague and friend as we discussed all manner of university and world affairs. We socialized quite frequently with the O'Neals during dinners in our homes. Parties at their house were always extra-special. Bill made our trip to Rome very memorable as he served as our tour guide and introduced us to many of his Italian friends. After I retired in 1999 and moved to Florida our friendship continued. We saw the O'Neals back in Toledo and during their trips to Florida. This photo was taken at our house in Naples, FL. We have many wonderful and cherished memories of Bill and Fran. Our condolences to their families.
Tim and Lina Scanlan

David Chelminski

November 8, 2020

Heart-felt condolences and sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Dr. O'Neal, my favorite and most admired instructor through my undergrad years at UT 1969-73: I took every course he taught (except for only quarters of Ancient Greek), then he graded my doctoral exam in Ancient History in '81. Many special memories of a true gentleman scholar whom I was honored to know whose knowledge I can only hope to have passed on to my own students. Eternal Rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual Light shine upon him, Amen.

David J Comes

November 8, 2020

Bill and Fran were such great people, and they were always so welcoming. I know how hard it had to be for Bill after Fran died last year, and now they have been reunited. Thank God for that. Picture from the great SFS teacher trip to France in 1993. Unfortunately no pic of Bill, but because of that trip, I got to know Fran, and then Bill, as such good people! Also were members, as I still am, of Corpus Christi Univeristy Parish for so many years. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace! Amen

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