William O’Connor, III (Bill) departed this earth October 26, 2019 . He was born on April 17, 1927 in Dallas, the son of William O’Connor, Jr. and Beatrice Blakeney O’Connor. He graduated from Highland Park High School in 1944 and Texas A&M (BS in Mechanical Engineering) in 1950. An MS in Engineering was obtained at SMU in 1960 while an employee of Temco Aircraft Corp. Bill was very patriotic and a dedicated Aggie. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in February of 1945 and served in both WWII and the Korean War. He earned a commission as a Second Lieutenant and served in Korea as a rifle platoon leader. He was wounded and spent nine months in various Naval Hospitals before being returned to civilian life. In 1954 he met and married the love of his life, Connie Brewer. Together, they raised six children, including several children and grandchildren who are graduates of A&M. His six children, twenty grandchildren and nine great grandchildren are Bill’s pride and joy. In 2004, for their 50th anniversary present the children gave Bill and Connie a fabulous 18 day trip to Europe. Bill is a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, the Former Students Association of A&M, The Twelfth Man Foundation of A&M, The Disabled American Veterans, and the First Marine Division Association. Bill joked about his golf scores, but loved the game. He also enjoyed traveling and saw many lands accompanied by Connie. Preceded in death by his parents and sister, Betty O’Connor Sullivan, his survivors include his wife of 64 years, sons Tom (Rene), Bill, Tim (Kelly), daughters Cheryl O’Grady (Don), Cathy Tucker (Mike), Connie Baird (Mark), former daughter-in-law Connie Petticrew, the twenty grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Bill always gave thanks for the wonderful blessings that he had received on this earth and said that he had lived during the greatest period of history.
A rosary will be held at Sparkman Funeral Home on Greenville Avenue at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, October 29, with visitation beginning at 6:00. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church with Fr. Peter Verhalen as Celebrant and Fr. John Szatkowski as co-celebrant at 10:00 am Wednesday, October 30, followed by interment at Calvary Hill Cemetery at 1:30. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the wonderful care provided by Atria Richardson for the last three years, and to Merit Hospice during his final days. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to The Friends Place (www.friendsplaceads.com).
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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