William F. "Billy O." O'Connell

William F. "Billy O." O'Connell, Sr., 61, of Smith St., Fall River, formerly of Hamlet St., husband of the late Arleen (Aspden) O'Connell, died Monday, August 29, 2011. He was employed by Swan Finishing Co. and the Fall River Water Department. A decorated Army veteran of the Vietnam War, and recipient of the Presidential Soldier's Medal for Heroism, he was past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Chaplain of the American Legion and a member of Amvets, Fall River, a member of the Vietnam Veterans Assn., Westport, a Life Member of Bayview Holy Ghost Club, Tiverton and a member of the Patrick Brennan Club. He leaves his beloved companion, Mary Remy; 2 children, William F. O'Connell, Jr. (Melissa) of Canaan, NH and Holly O'Connell (Brian Desrosiers, Sr.) of Fall River; grandchildren, Brian and Dylan Desrosiers and Kalyn, William and Aidan O'Connell; siblings, Robert E. O'Connell, Jr. of Swansea, Leeann Lambert of Fall River, and Raymond O'Connell of Somerset; and many nieces and nephews. He was the son of the late Robert and Leatrice (Peasley) O'Connell and the brother of the late Patricia Cioe. His funeral will be held Friday at 9:00 AM from the AUCLAIR FUNERAL HOME, 690 So. Main St., Fall River, with a funeral mass in Good Shepherd Church at 10:00 AM. Burial, Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation, Thursday 4:00 to 8:00 PM. LARGE PARKING AREA and BARRIER-FREE ENTRANCE at the rear of funeral home. PLEASE OMIT FLOWERS. Donations, to be used according to the family's wishes, greatly appreciated.