William O'Donnell Obituary

Playing Flag Football at Quincy College was not easy. Especially when your job was to prevent Bill O'D from catching passes. He was an exceptional Athlete who could have played College Ball anywhere. I just remember is absolute determination to be successful. It made a lasting impression on me.

I am sorry to hear. One could not ask for a more cooperative and supportive parent of an athlete he coached. My condolences to Kelly and the rest of the family.

Bill possessed one of those rare personalities that knew no stranger and was loved by everyone. I will always remember him for his support of the military and the warm way in which he welcomed veterans to the QU campus. Please accept my humblest sympathies at Bill's passing. He is warmly remembered and I am very thankful for having had the opportunity to know this incredible man.

Dear Maureen, As I opened and read the QUniverse publication yesterday, I was deeply saddened to read of Billy's passing. To you, Matt, Brian, Caroline, Kelly, and to your extended family...please accept my heartfelt condolences. Billy was a great influence on our graduating class and also a great ambassador for Quincy University. I'll always remember Billy as a great competitor & athlete, and a man of great friendship & warmth. The family you & Billy formed...and the love you two shared and extended to Matt, Brian, Caroline,& Kelly are an intergal part of his legacy. May the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, comfort you & your family now. Grace to you & peace, Hank

Really sorry to just hear the sad news about Bill (from the Hinsdale Central class of '69 alumni Website). I haven't seen him since high school (when he was called "Moose"), but from the many tributes to him here, it's clear that he continued to be the same positive, friendly, good fellow that he was back then. My condolences to his family.

Dear Maureen and family,

Please accept our deepest sympathies. You will be in our hearts and our prayers.

Susan Cox and family

Billy was everybody's golden boy - He was so easy to like and did so much good. He will be missed by so many people,
among them his Quincy University family. Life well lived Bill. Thanks for all your good works.

Dear Maureen and Family, I have a lovely memorey of seeing all the O'Donnell Family at Mass sitting in the row in front of us. Bill was a wondeful guy and will be missed. We were out of town for his wake and read of it in the Review. Our prayers are with you. Love, The Gannon Family

Hi Maureen
It is Mary Gleason from Evanston in shock over hearing the news of Bill's passing. Regretfully, I have not seen you or Bill for a long time, but will always love the time you lived in Evanston, worked at the Keg with me and then your move to Glenview and our many fun times together with the kids trying to make sure they had fun but also we had fun. I still picture Bill in front of our house on Oak playing basketball with Dick. That is how I met you. Bill said to Dick: You know, we should introduce our wives to each other. He thought we would be friends and he was right. I have Bill to thank for my knowing you. I am so so sorry. He will always remain one of the nicest, best looking sweetest guys I know. God bless

Dear O'Donnell Family,

I am so sad to hear of Bill's passing as I did not even know that he was ill. We saw him in Quincy in September at the chapel ceremony and as always he looked like a million bucks. I had the pleasure of serving on the QU Alumni board several years with Bill. He had become the face of QU these past few years and what a wonderful smiling face it was. He will be missed greatly.

O'Donnell Family - We used to live on your block and Bill was one of the very first people I met. Such a warm, wonderful and kind man. We were so sorry to hear of his passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Julie and Brian O'Shea

Dear Moe and Family,

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Bill's passing. He was such a wonderful person. I have very fond memories of time spent with you, Bill and your sons golfing at the McElligott Open - oh so way back when! I am grateful for those times spent with family and friends....and what a small world we found out at that Opend when it turns out my neighbor who rolled her house down 113th Street on wheels in Beverly to relocate it from Oakley to Lothair, were cousins to my husband's family! I am glad that our paths crossed once again. My sincere condolences to you and your family during this difficult time.

I remember when the O'Donnell family moved in a few doors down from us and thinking to myself..."I wonder what this blond-haired yuppie from Hinsdale is all about?!" The truth of the matter is that Bill fit into Beverly like a missing piece of the puzzle.The Garmes-O'Brien family will miss you. We'll try to keep the corner tidy for you, Bill.

Maureen,
My heartfelt condolences, goes out to you and to all your family. I don't need to tell you what a great person Billy, was, you know that. It was my pleasure, to know him in college and play sports with him. He was always friendly and warm and a pleasure to talk to at all our reunions. He enjoyed teasing and the jokes as well. He will be missed greatly not on by Quincy U, but everyone he has every met, since he touched all of our lifes so positively. His character and spirit will live on through all who knew him well! He will be missed greatly by all!
My Peace and prayers again, and may God help you and your family through these difficult times. God Bless- Jack

Maureen and Family,
Words cannot explain how saddened I was when I read of Bill,s passing.I am glad to have had the privledge to experience his enthusiasm an infectuous smile.He has touched the lives of many.He will be greatly missed especially being the face of Quincy U for alums.You have my deepest sympathy.Although God has called Billy home early he will never be forgotten.It is always tough when you lose when of the good guys.My prayers an thoughts are with you an your family during this very tough time.

O'Donnell Family,
Our thoughts and prays are with your family from all around the world. We have such wonderfull memories growing up with the greatest neighbors you could ask for!
Byrne Brothers,
Jeff - Seattle, WA
Dan - Thailand

O'Donnell family,
My condolences to your family on Bill's passing. We here at QU will miss Bill and his enthusiasm, energy, and professionalism. He was the perfect ambassador to alumni.

May God bring you light and peace. Many thanks for everything you did to make Quincy Franciscan University a place of hospitality. Peace and all good, Brother Ed Arambasich, OFM, Quincy Fire Chaplin

Maureen
My deepest condolences go out to you and your family. There is not a doubt in my mind that I am a better person for having crossed paths with you and Bill.Thank you for opening your home and accepting us for who we were.I apologize for not taking the time to tell Bill when I had the chance. Know that you are in our prayers.

O'Donnell Family
So sorry for your loss. I will never forget how amazing your Dad was!! You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Much Love!

Our prayers are with your family at this sad time. We remember Bill was as joyful role model.
Chris and Marty Kennelly

Our prayers continue to be with you, Moe, and with your family. We don't have to tell you how much we will miss Bill. He was such a part of our lives, and we loved being with him...hearing him laugh...laughing along with him. A more positive person we will never meet. Charismatic, always smiling, Bill seemed to love everyone, and it was obvious that he loved life. He's created a void in ours....
Love and prayers go out to the O'Donnell and Breakey families...

Bill was a great man, a man who I great admire and I am proud to have known him. Requiescat in Pace.

Bill was the best next door neighbor for us, teaching me how to grow a beautiful lawn, although I never achieved the perfect grass that Bill proudly pampered. Bill and Maureen went on frequent walks past our yard, always helpful and cheerful. The nicest guy to play golf with at Ridge, I will always remember his daring flips off the diving board too! What a great guy, we will miss him, and w'ere grateful to have had him in our lives.

Thinking of you Maureen and sending prayers to all your family. Bill was such a great person. With love and sympathy, Pat, Edith and Colleen

Maureen and Family...be sure Bill is in my daily prayers. We only met once but Bill left a lasting impression on me with his words and attitude. I pray he is at peace with the Lord

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.”
So many sad hearts, but so many touched by Bill.
We love you O'Donnells!

It seems like yesterday that Bill and Maureen were in my class at then-Quincy College. My grief extends to his wonderful family and his many friends who are now deprived of one of the sunniest dispositions on the planet.

So sorry for the loss of Bill. Maureen and family, you have my sympathy.

Brian & the entire O'Donnell family, our thoughts and prayers to you and yours at this difficult hour. We never had the pleasure of meeting your brother, but from all we have read, and knowing you he was a great guy and will be missed. Deepen your faith and know he is in a better place. Your friends The Agostini family

Our deepest thoughts and sympathies to all of you. Bill was a wonderful husband, father, and a friend to many. He will surely be missed.

My deepest sympathy to the family of Bill O'Donnell,he was a true gentleman and will be missed by everyone that knew him..

I, too, was one of the lucky ones to have known Bill through the hospitality industry. He always brought a smile to my face and was once of the most gentle people I have ever known. We will miss him and be sad for a very long time.

Wow--What a shock to learn of Bill's passing. I had no idea he was ill. I first met Bill when I was Dean of Students at QU. What a great guy he was. Always had an infectuous smile. Mo, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Norma and Jim Bower

Dear Maureen and Family,
Bill was truly a gentleman and will be greatly missed. Dan often talks about the trip they all took to Mayo years ago. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

DEAR O'DONNELL FAMILY. I AM VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. THOUGHTS & PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU.

KATHY FISCHER JOHNSON

All my deepest sympathies to Maureen and all of Bill's wonderful family. He was a remarkable man who had the gift of always making others feel valued. He was/is a cherished soul that impacted many, and his legacy lives on with all those he touched.

Maureen
Tom and I were so shocked to hear about Bill's passing. He was a good man and we are sure he will be missed by all. Our prayers to you during his difficult time.
Tom and Terri(Mangen) Poterucha '79
Rochester,MN

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We have such good memories of Bill from his days as my secretary at QC to the alumni gatherings in Chicago.

To the O'Donnell Family.
Bill was such a joy. Always so positive.
Thoughts and prayers to you all.
The Kelly and McCambridge Family.

I am so sad. He was popular in our class for all the right reasons: he was nice, smart, fun, out-going, interesting and interested, genuine, etc. I could go on. Although I haven't seen him since our 20th reunion, it was fun to e-mail him from time to time when he went back to Quincy to work at the college. My deepest condolences.

Our condolences to your family. I have many fond memories of Billy at QU. We wish you all the best in these trying times.

Don and Donna Vincenti
Clovis, Ca.

Maureen & Family

Billy O and I worked together fpr 15 yeasrs. I always looked up to him as a person and as a salesman. He was a wonderful person, had a great work ethis, a heart of Irish gold and as I remember very competitive. I could never quite sell as much as he. This world has lost a good Irishman. May the road rise to meet him. May the wind be always at his back. May the sun shine warm upon his face, the rains fall soft upon his fiels and until we meet him again may God hold him in the palm of His hand.

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of such a wonderful man. Maureen and family, our deepest condolences. John and Joanne (Chaperlo, QU '75) Langan

O'Donnell family,

I was sorry to hear the loss of Bill. I am an alum of QU and had met him on several occasions. What struck me most was that he was such a positive and enthusiastic individual.

Know that he will be missed by many individuals that he has touched in the QU family over the years

Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out
to the O'Donnell Family

Maureen and Kids, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time of loss. Since 1969 when Bill coached our Powder Puff Football team at Quincy, his blonde hair and beautiful kind heart made him a favorite to many. What a blessing to have had the chance to reconnect with him for all these years as a fellow St. Barnabas Parishioner and for my daughter to have had the opportunity to be influenced by his wonderful spirit and love of life on her varous playing fields during school years. May God bless each of you and give you the strength you need to get thru these days. Much Love, The LaDuke Family

Mo,

I'm very sorry to hear this sad news. My love and prayers to you and your family. Steve Smith

My love and prayers to Maureen and family.
Sallie Heinlen

Please accept our sincerest condolences on your great loss. Tom and I are truly saddened by the news. May God embrace you and your beautiful children, Maureen, until the hurt is over.
Love,
Pat and Tom Nau
Chicago

Dear O'Donnell family,
Emmett and I extend sympathy to you and your family. We have known Billy through the QC connection. Everyone loved him. He was energetic, committed, kind, representative of the Franciscan spirit, and such a wonderful man.His absence will be noticed by all who knew and loved him. We are out of town this weekend, through Tuesday of next week, but please know you are in our prayers and thoughts. All our best.
Emmett and Mary Jo Murphy

Dear Maureen,

The kids and I will keep you in our prayers and thoughts. Bill was an uncommonly good man with a ready smile and extended hand far out in front of him.

You have our deepest sympathy.

Nora, Conor Clare and Pat Hickey

Stay strong in this time of sorrow. Our deepest sympathies to the O'Donnell clan.

My deepest sympathies to Maureen, Bill's children and family. Bill was one of the greatest guys we've had the privilege of knowing. That sandy hair and smile will remain with us forever. We were great college friends at Quincy College.

The Byrne family send their love and support to the O'Donnell family during the unbelievable time. We are gunna miss that "healthiest 61 year old that I know". The hearts on the Bell block will never be quite the same.

The Byrne family sends their love and support to the O'Donnells. We are gunna miss "the healthiest 61 year old". Our hearts on the Bell block will never be quite the same.

I am so blessed that my path crossed Bill's for several years through the Chicago chapter of MPI. With a kind heart, a loving soul and a zest for life that could take your breath away, Bill was a mentor to me and so many others. We grieve his loss but revel in the privilege it was to have known him. Deepest condolences to the family he cherished so deeply.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Bill was one of the finest colleagues I knew in the meeting industry. His dedication, genuine concern, hard work and outgoing spirit made him a friend to all. He was a super family guy and loved his very
much. I see him strolling the streets of gold, catching up with his Irish friends and family. Miss you, Bill.

I thought this fit Bill perfectly:

Death is nothing at all;
I have only slipped into the next room.
Whatever we were to each other, that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the esay way you always used to.
Laugh as we have always laughed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near, just around the corner.

Love doesn't die, people do.
So when all that is left of me is love,
give me away as best you can.
I'll see you at home, where I'll be waiting.

from a Carmelite Monastery in County Waterford, Ireland

Love to all the O'Donnells

curt

My condolences to the O'Donnell family

Billy O, great friend of my sister, Donna and brother in law, Breese. I was younger than that Mohabe gang, but you and your buddies were what I hoped to be like. Always a class act. You have positively touched many people.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

The past few years working with Bill, on the QU Alumni Board, has been a joy. His love for Quincy was infectious. His Franciscan spirit will be missed - but will be carried on by all those he met along the way. I am so sorry for your loss.

I have known a very few people in my life who were always up , always nice,always thoughtful. Billy was one of those people. I was happy to reconnect with him when he returned to QU and know what a hole his passing has created.He and his family are in my prayers.