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Gilmanton----William J. O’Connell, Jr., 87, formerly of Greely Farm, Rte 140, died on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at the New Hampshire Veterans Home in Tilton where he had been a resident in the Alzheimer’s section for the past eight years.
Mr. O’Connell was born July 9, 1918 in Ware, MA, the son of the late Eva (Barron) and William J. O’Connell, Sr. He graduated from Ware High School in 1936 and worked at the Navy Yard in Portsmouth where he met and married Grace Douglas on February 12, 1942. He was inducted into the U. S. Army at Fort Devens, MA. in March, 1942. From there he was stationed at Fort Getty, RI as a buck private. He attended officers’ school at Camp Lee, Virginia where he graduated as a second lieutenant in the Quarter Masters Corp. in December, 1942. His first assignment was at Fort Robinson in Nebraska at the remount and war dog training station as Officer in Charge of the training of over 1400 war dogs to be sent over seas. His next assignment was in Prince Rupert, Alaska where he was in charge of war vessels. His final assignment was Officer in Charge at Rose Wharf in Boston, retiring as a Captain after five years of service.
After leaving the service, he purchased property in Amesbury, MA where he and his wife raised two children. He was on the Planning Board for a number of years and a precinct member for his neighborhood at Point Shore. He was employed by the G.S.A. in charge of motor vehicles for the government in Boston until his retirement. He had built a beautiful home on Frisky Hill in Gilmanton, NH. Bill was a member of the American Legion of Gilmanton #102 and a member of the Retired Officers Association.
Bill’s hobby was playing golf where he was a member of Waukewan, Laconia and Pheasant Ridge Country Clubs. He enjoyed hiking the White Mountains with his son, fly fishing and being with his family. Everyone enjoyed Bill’s company with his wonderful sense of humor.
Survivors include his wife of sixty-four years, Grace O’Connell, of Laconia; a daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Alan Marion, in Kentucky; a son, William J. O’Connell III, of Nevada; a granddaughter, Alexander Goldstein of San Francisco, CA and a granddaughter, Shannon O’Connell, of Hawaii and several nephews and nieces.
There will be no visiting hours.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2006 at 10:00AM at the Gilmanton Community Church, Gilmanton Iron Works. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Gilmanton Iron Works, NH. Rev. Linda
B. Bolton, Pastor of the Gilmanton Community Church will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Gilmanton Community Church, PO Box 6, Gilmanton Iron Works, NH 03837
Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street Laconia, NH is in charge of the arrangements.
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