William 'Bill' O'Neill

William Micheal (Bill) O'Neill, 81, entered life eternal on Thursday, August 6, at Advocate BroMenn Hospital in Normal, IL, following a courageous battle with kidney and heart failure.

Bill was born Dec. 20, 1933 in Philo, IL, to the late Everett M. O'Neill and Cecilia E. (Lannon) O'Neill, and grew up in Urbana.

He graduated from Urbana High School in 1951 and attended the University of Illinois in Architecture. He then joined the U.S. Navy in 1952, where he was proud to become a member of the Naval Construction Forces - the Seabees. He married the love of his life, Mary Sue Campbell, on April 3, 1953. Together, they journeyed to Bermuda, where Bill served the Navy as an electrician and where they began their family.

Returning to Champaign, Bill worked at CS Johnson as a draftsman and then at Alloy Engineering and Casting Co., where he held the positions of President and Chairman of the Board for more than 25 years, retiring in 1994. Bill also retired as a Commander in the U.S. Navy, after serving in the U.S. Naval Reserves for 24 years following his active duty.

Bill was a member of the National Foundry Association, a member and past chairman of the Cast Metals Institute (CMI), and a member and past president of the American Foundrymen's Society (AFS), where he was the recipient of the prestigious industry award, the William H. McFadden Gold Medal, for his promotion of scholarships supporting foundry careers. He served on the Board of Directors of several local financial institutions, including Central Illinois Bank (CIB), Commercial Bank, Freestar Bank and Strategic Capital Bank. He was a member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ.

He enjoyed traveling (29 countries at last count!), architecture and design (which included developing the Oak Creek subdivision in Mahomet and designing and building a lodge at the Tan-tar-a Resort in Osage Beach, MO), reunions (family, friend, class and Seabee), airplanes (earned his pilot's license), carpentry, landscaping, boating, reading, watching sports, old westerns and war films, and teasing his wife, children and grandchildren.

He was a wonderful, lovable Irishman with a sharp mind, touched by a healthy dose of mischief. Bill will be missed by all who had the honor and privilege to know him. Bill was a devoted son, husband, father and grandfather.

He will be loved and treasured forever in the hearts of his wife of 62 years, Mary Sue; children: W. Micheal (Tracie) O'Neill, Jr. of Carol Stream, IL, Cinda (Chris) Noffke of Baroda, MI, Patrick (Terry) O'Neill of Champaign, IL, and Mindy (Jim) Bolin of Normal, IL; grandchildren: Marisa (Derek) Friske, Angela Noffke, Joshua Noffke, Ashley Bolin, Nick Bolin, Eric O'Neill, Aerin Bender, Katie (Mike) Seiffertt, Liz (Joe) Cowman and Alycia Marfongella; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Richard (Pat) O'Neill of Greenville, South Carolina; as well as by his extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Robert O'Neill and James O'Neill.

Please join Bill's family in celebrating his life during a time of visitation on Friday, August 28 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home, 710 N. Neil St., Champaign, IL. A celebration of life service will be held the following morning at 11 am at the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Christopher Noffke officiating. Following the service, Bill will laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery in Champaign with full military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Foundation. Please join Bill's family in sharing memories and photos of his life on his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Aug 28, 2015 Friday, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, IL 61820

Aug 29, 2015 Saturday, 11:00 AM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, IL 61820

Mount Hope Cemetery and Mausoleum 611 E. Pennsylvania Ave. Champaign, Illinois 61820