William R. O’Connell Jr.

Birth: February 22, 1943 | Died: September 6, 2024

William R. O’Connell Jr., husband, father, papa, brother, uncle, friend, successful entrepreneur, hotel developer, community leader, and mentor to many, lost his yearlong battle with cancer on Friday, September 6, 2024.

Bill is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jean M. O’Connell, their three children, William R. O’Connell III, Bryan M. O’Connell (Joanna), Shannon O. Hawkins (Jonathan), and their 11 grandchildren, Liam, Riley, Clare, Erin, Will, Kennedy, Finley, Aidan, Cormac, Rowan, and Connell.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, to Marie (Durig) O’Connell and William R. O’Connell Sr. He was the eldest of 7, and played a very fatherly role to each of his younger siblings throughout their lives. He is survived by Jack (Robyn), Kevin, Paul (Kay), Maureen and Jerry. Bill’s brother, Michael, devastatingly passed as a young child. Bill is also uncle to 19 beloved nieces and nephews. He grew up in the heartland of Ohio, working around the family Durig Market. His Grandpa and Grandma Durig taught all of the family the importance of hard work and integrity. He spent many of those formative years alongside over 80 first cousins and 30 aunts and uncles, who lovingly still sometimes refer to him as “Billy”.

At the age of 15, Bill’s Dad decided to move the family to Phoenix, AZ. Bill’s dad instructed him to get a job, and Bill soon reported back home with his new position as a bus boy at the Royal Palms Inn. Due to his work ethic, willingness to learn, and desire to be given more duties, Bill earned the respect of hotelier, Al Stovall. Mr. Stovall saw the potential Bill had, and continued to offer him more and more responsibilities and positions. At the age of 20 years old, Al needed a young, hungry, hard worker to head to Anaheim, CA, where he was building his first, of many, Best Westerns in the Disneyland area.

Not long after his move to Anaheim, Bill’s cousins made their way to Santa Monica, CA to live. Bill’s cousin, Bonita Berry, came with her best friend, Jean Herman. It wasn’t long before Bill was using the Space Age Shuttle bus, with the space alien on the rooftop, to head to Santa Monica to pursue, and eventually catch, Jean Herman for his bride.

Jean and Bill were married at St. Monica’s Catholic Church on August 14, 1965, they just celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. In 1966 they welcomed Bill III, then in 1968, Bryan and in 1970, Shannon. They lived in the managers apartment in the Galaxy Lodge until shortly after becoming a family of five.

While Bill was an industry leader in the Anaheim Community, he would consider his proudest role as being a family man. He prioritized being a wonderful husband and provider, along with being an involved and influential father. Bill was steadfast with his faith. Church worship and prayer, were never an obligation, but a part of the fabric of his life and therefore his family’s life. Jean and Bill were very involved in their home parish of St. Boniface Catholic Church of Anaheim, and sacrificed and prioritized to send their children to both Catholic grade school and high school.

Bill and Jean raised their kids while being very involved in their Catholic community and the hospitality industry in the city of Anaheim. They went to every industry event and chaired many committees for fundraising at their schools. It was not uncommon for Bill to work 6 days a week. He and our mom were true partners and when he needed to be back at work, she handled the home and kids.

Due to his hard work and loyalty, Al Stovall continued to promote Bill and have him work alongside his three boys, Bob, Jack and Jim and their sister, Minta. They made up a mighty group of talent, each bringing their own strengths to the team. Some of Bill’s fondest memories are working alongside of the Stovall brothers. It was only after Al’s passing, in 1972, that Bill learned Mr. Stovall had left a small percentage of the company to Bill in his will. Bill spent the next 55 years by helping the Stovall children continue to develop, own and run numerous hotels in the area. Each of the Stovall brothers and sister, over the years, continued to offer Bill opportunities to purchase more interest in the properties. They knew their success was all tied together. Bill continued to give his all to them, and the company, until his last days here on earth. He was forever grateful for their trust and belief in him, and they acknowledged their successes were benefited by his lifetime of dedication, forward thinking, and hard work.

Bill’s life story can best be described as the “American Dream”. He began in the hospitality business as a bus boy at the age of 15, and ended his career as a hotel owner and developer. He treasured the numerous partners he had in his hotel and business ventures. He was honored to be asked to partner with the Vivian and Bill LaMeres family, who he so respected, alongside his great friend, Jim Stovall, once again. He then branched out from hotels and founded a sightseeing company with his brothers, Paul and Jerry, he loved bringing them into his hospitality inner circle. Next, he joined in partnership with Hasu and Amrit Patel, and Shirish and Rajan Patel, in the DoubleTree Guest Suites. His final development was building the JW Marriott Anaheim Resort with Ajesh and Swati Patel. He was sought after as a partner by many, due to his great experience and instincts in the hospitality industry, his business acumen, and his integrity and loyalty.

Bill is known by everyone who worked with him as a true leader and visionary for the city of Anaheim. After each new attraction or landmark in the city was built, it was usually Bill spearheading the next investment the city needed to make in order to compete and become a destination, not only for family vacations, but also to become a great player in the meetings and conventions business. He may have been considered a Disney Imagineer before the role even existed.

Of all of the accomplishments and successes in Bill’s life, if you were to ask him of which he was most proud, he would no doubt give you this reply: First, his loving marriage to his wife, Jean, of 59 years. He often credited Jean for all of his success, both in raising children and being successful in business. Jean was alongside him every step of the way. Second, raising his three children in a faith filled home who have now continued to raise their families the same way. The addition of his daughter-in-law, Joanna, and son-in-law, Jon, were also great joys in his life because he loved them and knew they were the perfect additions to his children’s lives. Third, his 11 grandchildren who he absolutely cherished. He lived for their stories, their optimism, their adventures and their pursuits. He knew he was in his last chapter of life, and he loved witnessing and being a part of their first chapters. Being a successful business man was an accomplishment and a great reward for a lifetime of hard work, but never life’s purpose, the people and relationships were always the purpose.

A life well lived can be defined by the lives you have touched, the lives that will miss you when you are gone, and the lives that will carry you into the future, through the stories shared, and the memories made. Bill had a very well lived life.

Celebration of Life Monday, September 23, 2024 10:00 am Rosary 10:30 am Mass Christ Cathedral 13280 Chapman Avenue Garden Grove, CA 92840

Interment immediately following services in the Christ Cathedral Memorial Gardens. Escorted procession along Anaheim route for a final farewell, ending at the JW Marriott Anaheim Resort for a lunch reception and celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers, Jean and family are directing donations be made in William O’Connell Jr.’s name to:

The memorial fund at Servite High School and Rosary Academy www.rosaryacademy.org/inmemory (donation page for William O’Connell Memorial Fund for both schools found here.)

St. Catherine’s Academy run by the Dominican Sisters www.stcatherinesacademy.org