William Louis O'Neill

Willy O'Neill passed away August 16, 2024, at his home.   Willy was born to Harold and Mary O'Neill in his childhood home in Walkerville, MT on August 25, 1933.

Willy was the epitome of a "Butte Boy' with his no nonsense attitude, loyalty, quick wit, and conviction in his beliefs.  You always knew where  you stood with Willy.

Willy attended St. Lawrence Grade School, Sherman Grade School, and graduated from Boys' Central High School in 1951.  He later attended the University of Montana where he jokingly declared his major as Astrophysics because all he did "was take up space."

Willy and Janet Tamietti married April 23, 1966, at St. Lawrence Church.  During their 58 years of marriage, they welcomed two children into this world:  Jimmy "Boacha" and Jacqueline "Dutch" O'Neill.

Willy had many jobs in his career including various positions with the Anaconda Company, a mail carrier in California, and prison guard with the Montana Department Corrections.   His favorite positions were as station tender at the Lexington Mine and as a boilermaker with the Anaconda Company where he made life-long friends.  He was passionate about his work in the Butte mines and loved to share stories of the many years he worked above and below ground.

Willy also served his country as an MP in the United States Army.  He served in Korea for two years during the early 1950s.   He was extremely proud of his service.

Willy will forever be known for his passion for Notre Dame athletics, his knowledge of history and family ancestry, and for having the nicest lawn on the block.  But nothing meant more to him than his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and, nephews.   He was extremely proud of each and everyone of them!

Willy is survived by his wife, Janet, of 58 years; son, Jim O'Neill (Traci); daughter, Jacqueline Johnson (Steve); grandchildren:  McKenzee (Pearson) O'Neill, Cade O'Neill, Kian O'Neill, Jori Johnson, and Jaron Johnson; sister, Natalie Opie; as well as his beloved nieces and nephews of the Opie, Bunney, and Tamietti clans.

Willy was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Harold O'Neill; sister, Ann Marie Bunney; father-in-law, Jim Tamietti; and brother/sister-in-law, Jack and Shirley Tamietti.

Willy's family would like to express its sincere gratitude to Stacy Hovland of Senior Solutions, Morgan Ellingson of Inhabit Health Care, the 5th floor staff of St. James Healthcare, and his incredible care over the years provided by Dr. Pullman and Erin Williams-Leber.

Services will be celebrated Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 11:00 at the Duggan Dolan Mortuary.  Memorials may be made to the Butte Archives, Bulldog Outfitters in c/o the Butte Education Foundation, or a charity of the donor's choice.