William Jennings O’Neil, 84, of Manchester and Alton, died August 11, 2014 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Manchester on August 13, 1929, he was the son Daniel A. and Mary (Jennings) O’Neil. He graduated St. Joseph High School, class of 1947 and St. Anselm College, class of 1951.
He served in the Korean War as an Air Force commissioned officer.
William was employed at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC from 1953 to 1958 as an administrative assistant while attending and graduating from Georgetown University Law School. He earned his JD in 1957 and a master’s degree in 1958.
Bill served in the NH Attorney General’s office from 1958 to 1967 prior to leaving as deputy Attorney General. He then served as a prosecutor for the City of Manchester (1967-1970), Associate Justice Manchester District Court (1970-1983), and Associate Justice in NH Superior Court (1983-1994).
He was a member of the NH and Manchester Bar Associations, the Administrative Committee for District and Municipal Courts in the 1970’s, the NH Judicial Conduct Committee (1977-1983), American Legion Henry J. Sweeney Post #2, the Elks Club and the Raphael Social Club.
The family would like to thank the Central NH VNA for the wonderful care they provided Bill during his final days.
Family members include his wife of 53 years Grace (Annis) O’Neil of Manchester; his children, Coleen Symonds and husband Peter of Bristol, William J. O’Neil and wife Ann of Manchester, Shane P. O’Neil and his husband Andrew M. Povich of Chicago, James M. O’Neil and wife Diane of Bedford, John M. O’Neil of Manchester; his grandchildren, Matthew, Ashleigh, Abigail, Allison, Brendan, Jessica, Connor, Taryn, and Barrett; one brother, Denis O’Neil of Manchester; many nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was predeceased by his infant daughter Mary Ann O’Neil, his brother Daniel O’Neil, and sister Kathleen Noonan.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Monday, August 18, 2014 at St. Anne-St. Augustin Church. Committal prayers and military burial honors were accorded in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford.
Donations may be made in his memory to the Central NH VNA Program, 780 Main St, Laconia, NH 03246.