William E. O'Neal

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[William E. O'Neal, 73, longtime resident of Ridgway, died Saturday, April 18, 2009, in Ferrell Hospital, Eldorado, after an extended illness.

William was born in Junction on Oct. 25, 1935, to the late John and Marie (Taylor) O'Neal. William attended Hickory Hill School near Equality. On Jan. 29, 1957, he married his wife, Marie (Millikan) O'Neal, who survives.

He worked for over 40 years in the coal mines before retiring. William was a member of the United Mine Workers of America. He loved the outdoors, fishing and hunting, but most of all driving around the river bottoms. He was always busy and could fix almost anything. William will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

William is survived by his wife, Marie (Millikan) O'Neal of Ridgway; son, Frank (Jeannie) O'Neal of Ridgway; a daughter, Barb (Rick) Hunt of Ridgway; grandchildren, Nicholas (Jaclyn) Hunt of Ridgway, Jared Hunt of Ridgway and Jesse J. O'Neal of Ridgway; brother, Ray (Geraldine) O'Neal of Ridgway; brother, John O'Neal of Ridgway; sister, Norma (Ron) Dunk of Shawneetown, and sister-in-law, Liz O'Neal of Brooksville, Fla.; stepgrandchildren, Derek and Steven Lane; and a great-stepgrandson, Skyler Lane.

She was preceded in death by a son, William Jefferey O'Neal; and two sisters, Peggy Harrelson and Tilda O'Neal; and two brothers, James Robert O'Neal and Carl O'Neal.

Visitation for William will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, 2009. Funeral services for William will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2009, at the Cox and Son Funeral Home with the Rev. Rob Gallion officiating. Interment will be at the Elmwood Cemetery near Equality.

Online condolences may be left to the family at the Internet site www.coxandson.com.