Billy McConnell Sr.

Billy went to Percy L. Julian for Elementary and Middle school, and High school at South Mountain. After high school, Billy enrolled in the Upward Bound Program at ASU under the leadership of the now Reverend Jessie Jackson and later attended Phoenix Community College. In 1971. Billy was presented with an opportunity (given by the Judge) to join the Military or choose the alternative. Billy chose to join the United States Marine Corps. Billy served his Country from 4/2/1971 thru 5/21/1975 in Camp Pendleton, CA where he was Honorably Discharged.

In 1971, Billy met Linda Faye Branch in Compton, CA They later married and moved to Phoenix in 1976. To this union, two children were born. Alice Vanessa McConnell, Billy McConnell Jr (BJ), and a stepson Lamont Colquitt.

Billy believed in working. He served as a life guard at East Lake Park and was certified through the American National Red Cross. He worked 33 years for the PUHS district as a welder for Black Iron Welding and retired as a Steel Master in 2007.

In 1977 while working as a welder, he met Eva Joyce Adams and they later married. To this union, four children were born. Caprice, Nicole, Farrah, Alexsis McConnell and a stepdaughter Carla Valles.

Billy enjoyed his family. There was nothing he wouldn't do for them. He also enjoyed the wilderness. He would take his children fishing and hunting. Billy was known as “Broadway Billy”, Bruno, and affectionately known by his cousins as ‘Grizzly Adams’. His children would also look forward to going to Tatum Oklahoma for the traditional Teoke reunion .Billy also has a passion for photography.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Wilber Dean McConnell and son Billy McConnell Jr (BJ) and Hassani Coleman. He is survived by his wife Eva McConnell, his sisters Ada McConnell of Phoenix, AZ, Sue Harrison of Oklahoma City, OK and brother Dwight Goodeau of Phoenix, AZ. His Children: Alice Vanessa McConnell of Nevada, Caprice, Nicole, Farrah, Alexsis McConnell and his stepdaughter Carla Valles of Arizona. His Grandchildren: Reshon-Darby McConnell and Nia McConnell of Nevada, Noah Hudson, Yasmeen Hudson Kalese McConnell, Asia McConnell, Xavion Rogers, Rian Rogers, Amari Cole, Journee Rogers, Salaam Cole, Niveyah Freeman, Kashai McConnell , Tre’von Adams of Arizona, and a host of be-loved relatives and treasured friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Resthaven / Carr-Tenney Mortuary & Memorial Gardens, Phoenix, Arizona.