William "Bill" O'Neill

william
William J. O’Neill, age 91, passed away on October 31, 2020 at Faith Lutheran Home in Osage, Iowa. Cremation has taken place. There will be a service at a later date. Arrangements are with Conway-Markham Funeral Home of New Hampton. For further information please contact - 641-394-4331. William Joseph O’Neill was born on April 2, 1929 to William and Louise (Greten) O’Neill in New Hampton, Iowa. Bill graduated from New Hampton High School and received a B.S. from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa and received a M.S. from University of Missouri at Columbia, Missouri. Bill taught biology at New Hampton High School for 37 years. Bill was united in marriage to Mary Ann Mersch on June 1, 1957. To this union five children were born Tim, Peg, Kate, Pat and Dan. Bill was active in Boy Scouts, City Council, County Conservation Boards, Meals on Wheels and Calvary Cemetery Board. He was an active outdoorsmen, and especially enjoyed fishing and hunting. Bill had a special fondness of beagles; beagle, Barney was his favorite. Bill is survived by his wife Mary Ann of Osage, Iowa; children Peg Denner of Osage, Iowa, Kate O’Neill of Austin, Texas, Pat Hott of West Branch, Iowa and Dan O’Neill of Belton, Texas; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Bill is preceded in death by his parents William and Louise O’Neill and son Tim.

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  1. My sincere sympathy Mary Ann to you and all your family. I also lost a great friend today. I got to know Bill because he was a good friend of Jack’s. Thanks Bill and MaryAnn for all the years we had together. Rest in peace dear friend.

  2. My sympathies and prayers to Mary Ann and the whole family. Our families were like ages and shared a lot of classes, scouts and friendships. May he Rest In Peace.

  3. He was such a kind man and always in a good mood even when he wasnt feeling well. My heart is heavy! Mary Ann you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!

  4. Like Jack & Dianne Blazek, I remember Bill as our Lawler High School Principal, Algebra teacher, and boy’s baseball coach. He was well liked and respected by by all of the Lawler students and athletes. My condolences to his family. Patrick Murray Chicago, Illinois

  5. MaryAnn and Family: So saddened to read that Bill has passed to his eternal glory! You and Bill were very excellent friends and neighbors to my parents while living here in New Hampton. May Bill rest in peace.

  6. My sympathies to the O’Neil family. My husband always told that he and Bill had biology class together in high school and Bill was the smartest one in their class. Later on, “Mr. O’Neil” was my biology teacher and was one of the best teachers I had. Loved his class!

  7. My sympathy to the O’Neill family! Had Mr. O’Neill for a 10th grade Biology teacher at New Hampton in the early 70’s hes probably teaching the Angel’s on how to dissect frogs! R.I.P MR.O’NEILL

  8. So many good memories include the Bill O’Neill Family while growing up in New Hampton. I’m guessing my mom and dad are very happy to see Bill again. Our sympathy to you, Mary Ann, and to all your family. Sending love and prayers from Gary & Sue (Lunemann) Heimerdinger

  9. Bill O’Neill taught a science course at Lawler High School, coached women’s basketball, men’s baseball, and was the High School Principal. When a baseball game was called off because of a wet field I remember Mr. O’Neill would take two or three of the baseball players bird watching. He was multi tasking in our small school and had many interests. I noticed Pat Murray mentioned he also taught Algebra. He was a very good teacher and coach and I’ve recalled memories of him through my life time. He was a good friend of our family and was well respected in our high school and community. God bless you Mary Ann and your family. You have lost a very special person. You are in our thoughts and prayers. – Ed & Sue McGreevey

  10. May his memories console you today. All our prayers to his family. He was a great teacher and I remember him well. Jeanne and David Roder

  11. Remember Bill, was one of my teachers in Lawler back in the 50’s sorry to hear he past,will say prayers for him & his family

  12. I remember Bill as one of my favorite teachers when in high school. My first class in Biology attested to his brilliance as an educator. Many of the teaching techniques and methodologies impacted me in my undergraduate/graduate degrees in the Science field and in my career of education. Bill’s guidance and diligence in working with all students was without approach! My thoughts are with Bill’s family! Darrel Lang

  13. Mary Ann and Family,our sympathy,thoughts and prayers are with you all, you are missed in New Hampton,now Bill is with his son Tim again,May he rest in peace.Tom and Marian Gebel.

  14. Bill was one of my teachers, and very good at his job. Also enjoyed talking baseball with Lefty. And talking golf with Joe Kerwick and Bill. RIP.

  15. “Lefty “ Bill O’Neil was one the finest teachers in my high school and college career. In the Class of’69, I took biology as a freshmen. Mr O’Neil made genetics and the animal world come alive. What a marvelous, caring teacher!! The world was so much better with Bill leading young minds.

  16. Actually it was the late ’60’s when I had Bill for my biology teacher. I graduated in 1970. He left a lasting impression and still consider him, after all these yrs., as a favorite teacher. Thanks for the memories Mr. O’Neill. You were a big influence in my life.

  17. My deepest sympathies to Bill’s family. Mr. O’Neill was my biology teacher in school back in the ’70’s. He was an excellent teacher, very knowledgeable. He always made school interesting with the many great stories he would share. He was a good disciplinarian too. He was highly respected by many. RIP Bill.

  18. We were saddened to hear that Bill passed away. Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. I enjoyed coming over to your house to play pool with Tim growing up. We were lucky to have Bill as our Biology teacher. Rick & Luann Weigel

  19. I always love our road trips to his favorite NE Iowa fishing spots when we work at Steffens together. He will certainly be missed.


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