W.C. "Digger" O’Neal, 81, of Greenwood, Arkansas died peacefully Sunday evening March 13, 2022 at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith with family at his side. He was born to L.C. O’Neal and Willie Williams O’Neal on January 23, 1941 in the Lone Star Community near Burnville, Arkansas. He began school at Cavanaugh Elementary and graduated from Fort Smith Northside High School.
Mr. O’Neal began as a professional bull rider, but injuries shortened that career. He worked at Arkansas Glass and Mirror and gained a regional reputation as a glazier. He was the owner of O’Neal Construction Company and O’Neal Filter Company. He also was a realtor at ReMax Realty Company in Greenwood.
Digger enjoyed making stained glass projects, owning and running thoroughbred horses, forming bonsai trees, studying seed catalogs and growing many forms of vegetables and flowers. He was an avid reader of all publications agricultural.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Martha Johnson O'Neal of Greenwood; his daughters, Sonya Dawson and Andrea Arena, both of Atlanta, Georgia; three stepchildren, Melanie Griffis, Lance Richardson and Curtis Richardson of Fort Smith; his sister, Pat Coleman; a brother, Bob O’Neal; grandchildren, Brianna Dawson, Allen Dawson, Katrina Dawson, Charlie Arena, Ashley Monroe and Ryan Hiller and also several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Margie and Jean and one brother, Everett.
Graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 23 at Liberty Cemetery in Greenwood with a visitation/celebration of Digger’s life at Greenwood Church of Christ following the service. Cremation is under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
