William O’Brien

William Paul “Bill” O’ Brien, age 96, of Arlington, Virginia passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 14, 2025. He was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on Thursday, January 24, 1929. Bill is the son of the late James Earl O’ Brien and Irene Catherine Nevins O’ Brien. Bill was predeceased by his sister, Irene Catherine Waters and his brother, Raymond Edward O’ Brien.

Bill is survived by his beloved life-partner of 43 years, Donald Reinecker, Arlington, VA.; nephew, Paul Waters, Jr. (Karen), Sturbridge, MA; niece Maryann Conrad (husband Jeffrey), Worcester, MA; grandnieces Courtney Carr (husband Michael), Holden, MA; Kimberly Conrad (partner Hoyt Scharff IV, Providence, RI; grandnephews Ryan Waters, North Brookfield, MA; David Waters, Sturbridge, MA and great-grandniece Amelia Carr, Holden, MA. Of special mention is Bill’s secretary at the State Department, Linda Stewart, Alexandria, VA.

Bill graduated from North High School, Worcester, MA (Class of 1947) and Clark University, Worcester, MA (Class of 1954). Bill worked for the United States Department of State for 24 years. He first worked in the Bureau of Public Affairs (PA). Secondly, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (CU). Thirdly, the Bureau of International Organization Affairs dealing with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

In PA, Bill edited speeches and manuscripts submitted or requested by high ranking officials such as the President, Secretary of State and other high ranking officials. During this assignment he was called to the White House to write and edit publications his office would produce. Here he edited the final proof for the brochure “Why Viet-Nam” war and designed its cover. In CU/AF Bill was responsible for the areas in east, central, west and southern Africa. Those on the east coast were Kenya, Rwanda, Brunei, Uganda and Tanzania. In the south the islands of Madagascar (Malagasy Republic) and Mauritius, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland. On the west coast were Angola, Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of Congo and Zaire (now called the Democratic Republic of Congo). He was also responsible for the Central African Republic. His job was specifically to bring to the United States opinion makers in these countries - educators, news correspondents and other professionals. Bill traveled frequently to all of these countries dealing with cultural affairs.

Bill’s third position was at the Department of State Bureau of International Organizations Affairs (IO/UNESCO). Here he was responsible for furthering the cultural interests of the United States. His work took him to the United Nations and working with the World Heritage Organization during the UN General meetings. On June 17, 1979, Bill retired from the Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer.

Upon retirement Bill volunteered for 15 years at the Northern Virginia Literacy Council (presently English Empowerment Center) where he tested English as Second Language (ESL) students upon their entry into the program. He was an ESL teacher working most closely with Eng Lim, a Cambodian refugee to this country. As Eng Lim was visually impaired it was necessary for Bill to teach her English lessons twice weekly, take her to medical appointments and assist her with her life in the United States. At the end of Eng Lim’s earthly life Bill was her court-appointed conservator.

Bill and Donald took ten summer driving trips to England, Scotland, Wales and the Continent. While there they visited friends, National Trust properties, museums, and natural landmarks. On their final trip to the UK, they sailed the Atlantic Ocean for six days aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 and returned home in 3 hours and 29 minutes on the Concorde. Bill and Donald enjoyed traveling to New England and Maine. Frequently they would spend many days during the month of October sightseeing around the areas of Rockport and Bath, Maine. Bill was an avid reader of all British mysteries and spent hours watching every series of British mysteries.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11:30 AM at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2430 “K” Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037. In lieu of floral tributes memorial contributions may be made to “St. Paul’s Episcopal Church” for the purpose of the Schoenstein Organ Preservation Fund. Future cremains interment will be at Sunnyside Cemetery, York Springs, PA.