The death occurred at the South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen, of William (Willie) O’Neill, a popular Newtownbutler plumbing contractor, of 14 Lurganboy Park, Newtownbutler.
Willie had been in indifferent health for a number of years, borne with great dignity, but his passing came suddenly with great shock to his wife Sheila, daughters Karen and Keeva and son Gary, son-in-law Stephen, his brothers and sisters, wide circle of relatives and neighbours and to all who knew him as a pleasant, obliging person since his arrival to ‘Newtown’ over 30 years ago after his marriage to Sheila McDermott, a member of a well-known Newtownbutler family.
Willie O’Neill was born in O’Neill Park in Clones in 1957. He was a member of a family of four sons and two daughters. John and Declan live in the UK; Maura (Mrs. Patrick Wilson) and Philomena (Mrs. Vincent Connolly) live with their extended families in Newtownbutler. The late Terry lived in Dundalk until his death, two years ago, also at an early age.
Willie’s father William O’Neill, who died around eight years ago, was always a popular plumber in Clones and he was always in demand. Willie’s mother Mary O’Neill, nee Rehill, passed away at the early age of 40 years; her death in 1980 left a huge void in the O’Neill family’s lives as they were just in their early twenties.
Willie qualified as a plumber under the tutorship of his father and when he married Sheila and moved to Newtownbutler, he branched out on his own. He was always in demand and busy, and he was always available in an emergency.
Willie had a huge interest in sport and was a proficient centre half with Clones Town AFC winning many border competitions; that comradeship was borne out by a large guard of honour, the turn-out including past and present players from his club, Clones Town.
Willie was also an accomplished Gaelic player, and on his arrival in Newtownbutler he lined out with the First Fermanaghs; he performed as an accomplished player for a number of years and was the proud holder of a Fermanagh Senior Championship medal, Division 2 and Junior Championship medals - won during his career with the club.
The First Fermanaghs also provided a parading Guard of Honour for the cortege on its way to St. Mary’s for his requiem mass. Willie’s daughter Karen is a prominent member of the First Fermanaghs Ladies’ Club, which also provided a Guard of Honour.
Willie was an ardent supporter of Chelsea FC, and delighted in its success in recent years.
A man, who possessed a great sense of humour and quick wit, he came from a long Clones lineage of the O’Neill family, reputed to be resident in the town since the 1600s.
In addition to his Clones connections, there was a huge turn-out from the local community for his requiem mass at St. Mary’s, and for the cortege from his home at Lurganboy Park on Friday morning. Fr. Michael King officiated, outlining in his homily, the achievements and qualities of the late Willie O’Neill.
Fr. King, on his and Canon Murphy’s behalf, expressed sympathy to his wife Sheila, his son Gary, his daughters Karen (Mrs. Stephen Clawson) and Keeva, son-in-law, and grandson baby Shay. Sympathy was also extended to his sisters Maura (Mrs. Patsy Wilson), Philomena (Mrs. Vincent Connolly) and their families, and his brothers John and Declan and their families; and also the family of his late brother Terry.
The funeral arrangements were by McAvinney Brothers, Newtownbutler, and the requiem vocals and music were by Maria Connolly, Wattlebridge.
The death occurred at the South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen, of William (Willie) O’Neill, a popular Newtownbutler plumbing contractor, of 14 Lurganboy Park, Newtownbutler.
Willie had been in indifferent health for a number of years, borne with great dignity, but his passing came suddenly with great shock to his wife Sheila, daughters Karen and Keeva and son Gary, son-in-law Stephen, his brothers and sisters, wide circle of relatives and neighbours and to all who knew him as a pleasant, obliging person since his arrival to ‘Newtown’ over 30 years ago after his marriage to Sheila McDermott, a member of a well-known Newtownbutler family.
Willie O’Neill was born in O’Neill Park in Clones in 1957. He was a member of a family of four sons and two daughters. John and Declan live in the UK; Maura (Mrs. Patrick Wilson) and Philomena (Mrs. Vincent Connolly) live with their extended families in Newtownbutler. The late Terry lived in Dundalk until his death, two years ago, also at an early age.
Willie’s father William O’Neill, who died around eight years ago, was always a popular plumber in Clones and he was always in demand. Willie’s mother Mary O’Neill, nee Rehill, passed away at the early age of 40 years; her death in 1980 left a huge void in the O’Neill family’s lives as they were just in their early twenties.
Willie qualified as a plumber under the tutorship of his father and when he married Sheila and moved to Newtownbutler, he branched out on his own. He was always in demand and busy, and he was always available in an emergency.
Willie had a huge interest in sport and was a proficient centre half with Clones Town AFC winning many border competitions; that comradeship was borne out by a large guard of honour, the turn-out including past and present players from his club, Clones Town.
Willie was also an accomplished Gaelic player, and on his arrival in Newtownbutler he lined out with the First Fermanaghs; he performed as an accomplished player for a number of years and was the proud holder of a Fermanagh Senior Championship medal, Division 2 and Junior Championship medals - won during his career with the club.
The First Fermanaghs also provided a parading Guard of Honour for the cortege on its way to St. Mary’s for his requiem mass. Willie’s daughter Karen is a prominent member of the First Fermanaghs Ladies’ Club, which also provided a Guard of Honour.
Willie was an ardent supporter of Chelsea FC, and delighted in its success in recent years.
A man, who possessed a great sense of humour and quick wit, he came from a long Clones lineage of the O’Neill family, reputed to be resident in the town since the 1600s.
In addition to his Clones connections, there was a huge turn-out from the local community for his requiem mass at St. Mary’s, and for the cortege from his home at Lurganboy Park on Friday morning. Fr. Michael King officiated, outlining in his homily, the achievements and qualities of the late Willie O’Neill.
Fr. King, on his and Canon Murphy’s behalf, expressed sympathy to his wife Sheila, his son Gary, his daughters Karen (Mrs. Stephen Clawson) and Keeva, son-in-law, and grandson baby Shay. Sympathy was also extended to his sisters Maura (Mrs. Patsy Wilson), Philomena (Mrs. Vincent Connolly) and their families, and his brothers John and Declan and their families; and also the family of his late brother Terry.
The funeral arrangements were by McAvinney Brothers, Newtownbutler, and the requiem vocals and music were by Maria Connolly, Wattlebridge.
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