Bill O'Neal was born December 14, 1929 in Melbourne, Arkansas to Silas Hugh and Liza (Vines) O'Neal. He passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2015 in Springfield. He attended a one room school for 8 years and then graduated from Melbourne High School where he was the center for the school basketball team. After three years of college, he enlisted in the Air Force and served duty in Greenland spending three months living under the ice cap as a radar man watching for planes coming over the North Pole. This earned him a membership in the Fraternity of Ice Worms. He finished his service time at Culver Air Force Base in Washington State. After returning from service, he finished college in Conway, Arkansas and then worked for a short time for Dupont in Topeka, Kansas. He began his teaching career in Seymour, Missouri, received an academic year scholarship at Washington University to complete teacher training, and moved to Springfield, teaching at Central, Hillcrest, Glendale, and helping to open the new Kickapoo High School. After retirement in 1993, Bill spent his time playing golf and traveling. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Adeal Simmons. Bill is survived by his wife Mary; daughter, Beth Roper and husband Pat; and grandchildren, Duncan and Connor. Bill is also survived by a brother, Mickey O'Neal and wife Doris; nephew, Sean O'Neal, wife Traci, and their children Lauren and Lily of Bradenton, Florida; nephew, Tony Hailey of Mountain Home; and four nieces, Judy, Susan, Mary Jo, and Theresa, who welcomed Bill and helped make him feel a part of the family. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 7, 2015 at 10 am at Immaculate Conception, with burial to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. A prayer service will be held on Thursday, August 6, at 6 pm, with visitation to follow until 8 pm, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association , 1630 W Elfindale, Springfield, MO, 65807, Seasons Hospice, 1831 W Melville, Springfield, MO, 65803, or Immaculate Conception, 3555 S Fremont, Springfield, MO, 65804.