William F. "Willy" O'Connell

Of Dorchester, died January 31, 2025, at the age of 100 years. 

Predeceased by his beloved wife Mary “Esty” (Joyce) O’Connell. 

Loving Father of Maureen Peecha and her late husband Stephen T. Peecha of Plymouth, Peggy and her husband Joe Westfield of Hanson, Kate Eby of Plymouth, and Teresa and her husband Timmy Hurley of Westwood. 

Predeceased by his siblings Margaret McIsaac of Maryland and Joseph O’Connell of Quincy. 

Survived by 12 grandchildren and the late Matthew O’Connell Westfield and Lauren Mary Hurley, and 9 great-grandchildren.

He proudly served his country during WWII as a Seaman First Class on the U.S.S. Baltimore, a U.S. Navy heavy cruiser. He loved to share the story about the day in 1944, when President Franklin Roosevelt boarded the ship. The crew escorted him on a secret mission to Hawaii, where he conferred with Admiral Chester Nimitz and General Douglas MacArthur on plans for the invasion of the Philippines later that year. He was one of the Greatest Generation. He retired at the age of 62 from AT&T as a repair technician. He enjoyed his days golfing, sitting on the front piazza, and eating a hot dog at Castle Island.

Family and friends will honor and remember Willy’s life by gathering for a Funeral Mass in St. Margaret Church of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, 800 Columbia Rd., Dorchester, on Friday morning, February 7, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. 

A private interment with military honors will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

 In lieu of flowers, donations in Willy’s memory may be made to Cranberry Hospice & Palliative Care, 36 Loring Blvd., Plymouth, MA 02360, or to your favorite Veteran’s Charity.