William V. O'Neil Jr., D.D.S., 73, of Niagara Falls, NY died peacefully surrounded by his family and friends on Tuesday August 4, 2009 at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, NY. He was born in 1936 in Kingston, Pennsylvania, the son of the late William V. O'Neil Sr., D.D.S. and Anne (Flynn) O'Neil.

Dr. O'Neil was a graduate of King's College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania with a degree in biology. He attended the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dentistry, graduating in 1962. Following two years in the U.S. Army, he completed a three-year residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Millard Fillmore Hospital in Buffalo, New York. He practiced for four years with Phillip A. Galeota, D.D.S., in Buffalo, New York. He then practiced for twenty years at the Parkway Apartments in Niagara Falls, New York and retired in 1986. He served as chief of dentistry for seventeen years at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital and Memorial Hospital. He served as an oral surgeon at the Veteran's Administration in Buffalo, New York for fourteen years.

Dr. O'Neil is survived by Ellen M. (Munley) O'Neil his wife of forty nine years, and his three children Michael W. (Tamzin Kelly, Esq.) O'Neil, Esq. of Rocky River, Ohio; Molly O'Neil, M.D. (Fred Dotolo, PhD.) of Buffalo, New York and Matthew T. (Luisa Bevilacqua) of Downers Grove, Illinois. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Madeline, Patrick, Samantha, Ella, Giuliana and Aidan, his brother Joseph (late Anne M.) O'Neil of Wyoming, Pennsylvania, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Dr. O'Neil was a Diplomate, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and a Fellow, American Dental Society of Anesthesia. He was a member and past president of the American Dental Association Niagara County Dental Society, New York State and WNY Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. He was a Clinical Assistant Professor at the School of Dental Medicine, SUNY at Buffalo in the departments of Oral Surgery and Stomatology.

Dr. O'Neil continued his U.S. Army Reserve service and was activated and served in the Middle East with the 365th Evacuation Hospital during the first Gulf War (Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm). He retired as a Colonel, USAR, following twenty five years of service. His military decorations include two campaign ribbons, the Southwest Asia campaign ribbon and Kuwait Victory Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Achievement Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. Dr. O'Neil was a member of the Retired Medical Reserve Corp.

Bill enjoyed many varied hobbies throughout his life. He was an avid sailor, loved golf and genealogy. He was a lifelong fan of the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills, and maintained season tickets to both for many years. Bill was always looking to see the world. He and his family enjoyed cruises, traveling to Europe and visiting friends and relatives throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Friends may call on Friday from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. at the M.J.COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD where funeral services will begin on Saturday August 8th at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Niagara University Alumni Chapel, 5795 Lewiston Road, Niagara University NY with Rev. Michael A. Guzik, SJ officiating. Interment with Military Honors will be held in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. If desired memorial donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.