William L. "Bill" O'Connell, 86, a longtime resident of Chelmsford passed away on Monday, April 24, 2017 at Westford House. He was the beloved husband of the late Kathleen V. "Kay" (Moran) O'Connell who died on August 11, 2015 after 54 years of marriage.

He was born in Westford on November 22, 1930 and was a son of the late John A. and Mary K. (Allen) O'Connell.

Bill attended the Frost Elementary School and was a Class of 1948 graduate of Westford Academy. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War.

Prior to his retirement, he was employed for many years at Raytheon Corp. in both Lowell and Andover where he was a member of the Raytheon Management Club. He also participated in the Raytheon Ski Club, enjoying many trips with his co-workers as well as his wife Kay. Bill was a member of the Chelmsford Order of Elks, Lodge 2310 and received many awards in recognition of his good works and contributions to the community. Bill and Kay enjoyed taking long walks with their Siberian Husky, Dreamer.

Bill will be missed by his beloved nieces and nephews; David O'Connell and his wife Gail of Brainfels, TX, Christopher O'Connell and his wife Mary Ellen of Naples, FL, Mary (O'Connell) Richard of Meredith, NH, Robert O'Connell and his wife Cheryl of Naples, FL, Patricia (O'Connell) Koczera and her husband Edwin of Dracut, John O'Connell of Dracut, Mary Lou (O'Connell) Croteau and her husband John Norstrom of Groton, and the late John "Jackie" O'Connell and his wife Candy who lives in Westford, and his godchildren: nephew Paul F. O'Connell and his wife Linda of Naples, FL, and niece Erica (Toth) Henninger of Fairfax, VT. He also leaves his devoted sister-in-law Dorothy (Moran) Toth of Kennebunk, ME, and several additional O'Connell and Moran nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his brothers; John, Harold, David, and Francis O'Connell and sisters-in-law; Christina (Kelly) O'Connell-Lambert and Lucy (McNiff) O'Connell.

Visitation will be held on Saturday from 9 to 10:30 AM at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 o'clock at St. Mary Parish, 25 North Rd., Chelmsford.

Interment will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to UMASS Lowell C/O The Christina A. O'Connell Nursing Scholarship, Office of University Advancement, 600 Suffolk St. Suite 160, Lowell, MA 01854.

Affiliations