William “Bill” Edward O’Connor

William Edward (Bill) O’Connor went to be with the Lord on February 23, 2021.

Visitation:  Sunday, February 28, 2021 Biggers Funeral Home, Rosary: 5:30 pm

Mass:  10:30 am, Monday, March 1, 2021 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.   The Church will maintain a maximum allowance of 50% capacity and mandatory mask will be required.

Interment:  Following Service at Memory Gardens in Weatherford, Texas

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church

Building Fund, 800 High Crest Drive, Azle, Texas 76020 or charity of choice.

Bill was born in Fort Worth, Texas on March 5, 1944 to William and Omega Belle O’Connor.

He graduated Laneri High School as Valedictorian.  He received a full ride scholarship to St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, Kansas.  He was the first to graduate with a Physics major.  He attended Kansas State University where he received a Master’s Degree in Physics and completed all work toward a Doctorate in Physics except his final dissertation.  It was then that he realized he did not have a passion for physics, but rather wanted to be in the computer field.

While at Kansas State University, he met his beloved wife and best friend, Jeanne, at the drag races where she was on a date with someone else.  From that time forward, Bill and Jeanne became a couple.  They were married in August 1969.

Bill went to work for IBM in 1973 and held various positions from service to software development.  He would be assigned to various locations as a troubleshooter and “fixer”.  He retired as a second line manager after 30 years.  In retirement, he became a fulltime rancher,

Bill had many interests.  He and Jeanne shared many adventures from flying radio control model airplanes to raising Brittany Spaniels and field trialing.  They ultimately moved to Azle where they raised registered Beefmaster cattle.  They sponsored the Azle beef show team and helped many young people compete.  They produced the Champion Beefmaster heifer at the Fort Worth Stock Show.

Bill enjoyed photography throughout his life.  He shared his talent by taking pictures for everything from family celebrations to sporting events.

His greatest pride was his family.  He was very proud of the accomplishments of his daughter and her choice of husbands.  Together, they built a life and are raising three amazing children.  His grandchildren filled his life with special adventures from building Thomas trains to watching their sporting events.

As a result of the cattle show teams, he “adopted” a second family.  He started by working with one family member and soon her whole family became part of the cattle activities at JO Ranch.

The children’s parents became like another daughter and son.

Bill was also a man of great faith.  He loved studying the scripture and sharing what he learned with others.  He especially enjoyed working with the youth of the church.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, William and Omega Belle O’Connor and his in-laws Wellington and Madeline Dunn.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; his daughter Teri Lee and husband, Brady;  grandchildren, Braeden, Haidan and Kaidan; his sister, Katharine O’Connor; The Bouchard family, Don, Michelle, Sarah Larimore, Jazmin Herrera, Jessica Herrera, Rebecca Herrera, Jolene and Graicie.

And a host of friends