Bill O'Neal

He leaves behind his wife of 64 years Barbara, his two children Kathy Szentmartoni (of Idaho Springs) and Mike O’Neal (of California). He is also survived by five grandchildren (Zach, Brooke, Hannah, Sean and Casey) and five great-grandchildren (Silas, Mason, Bella, Oliver and Monroe).

Bills Idaho Springs legacy runs deep. He grew up in a house built by his ancestors where he lived with his parents, grandparents and great grandmother, the same house his daughter lives in today and where three of his grandchildren were raised. He attended what is now Carlson Elementary when Margaret Carlson and Bill’s mother taught and his daughter taught there as well. His father was on the City Council and worked in the mines and on several tunnel construction projects helping shape the transportation routes that serve us today.

After working in a local restaurant in high school, like most local kids in his generation he got a job in the mines and also worked in construction at Coors . He was interested engineering and attended The University of Colorado where he met his beloved wife Barbara and received a degree in Architectural Engineering (an education briefly interrupted by service in the United States Army).

He began a career of over 40 years as a structural engineer for KKBNA/Martin-Martin Consulting Engineers where he became a partner. Bill specialized in mid-high rise buildings and much of Denver’s modern skyline has his stamp on it, as do many other buildings across the US.

Bill loved his spot high in the South Stands of Mile High joined by his wife and friends watching the Broncos.

He also loved traveling and was humbled that as a “small town mountain kid” he eventually traveled the world on cycling trips, tours and self organized trips – always with his annotated Fodors! His favorite places, however, were much closer to home: New Mexico, Hawaii, every corner of Colorado and especially fishing and backpacking in the Wind River Range in Wyoming.

Bill’s love of camping and backing was shared with the Boy Scouts of Troop 177 which he led for several years. He enjoyed everything about the outdoors and organized countless trips including a few to Philmont Scout Reservation. He was very proud of his Eagle Scout son, who followed in his Scout Master footsteps and gave Bill two Eagle Scout grandsons as well.

What Bill cherished most was family always putting them first.