William J. O'Connell

Waltham – Mr. William J. O'Connell, of Waltham, died Monday, January 20, 2021 at Pine Knoll Nursing Center in Lexington following a period of declining health. He was 82.

Bill was born in Newton on August 21, 1938, the son of the late David and Nora (Higgins) O'Connell. A lifelong Waltham resident, he graduated from Saint Mary's High School.

He served in the United States Army and was a bank manager at Guarantee Bank and Trust Company. Later he worked security at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center on Trapelo Road in Waltham.

He leaves his sister, Katherine O'Connell of Lexington, and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Bill was also the brother of the late Alice Breton and David O'Connell.

Family and friends will honor and remember Bill's life by gathering to visit at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, January 25th in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham followed by his funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Those who wish to view Bill's funeral service may do so by visiting this link at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 25th: https://my.gather.app/remember/william-o-connell
______________________________________

Tuesday, December 22, 2020 – a note from the funeral home pursuant to Governor Baker's recent order:

During times of uncertainty and crisis one might wonder what to do at the loss of a loved one or how to show support to a friend given the limitations that the pandemic continues to present.

Telephone your friend to offer words of love, support and a verbal hug, drop something delicious by the house, leave a condolence on the funeral home website, make a donation to their favored charity, send a card or flowers or have a Mass said, remain in touch, and above all else . . . say prayers for the deceased and their family and the world during this difficult and unprecedented time.

These simple gifts of sympathy and charity are more valuable than you will ever know.

When public wakes are held capacity limits mean that your visit to the venue where they are held should be brief to allow other guests time to say hello to the family. Only members of the immediate family remain present throughout.

It goes without saying that people who have lost someone are especially sensitive and understanding to the concerns that some of their own family members and friends may have about visiting any public places right now. If this does not feel like the right time for you to venture out please don't.

Space limitations also mean that funeral services inside the funeral home and in many places of worship will also be private. Most services, at the family's request, will also be livestreamed and recorded for future viewing. The link to access the channel is found at the bottom of the obituary notice online.

Cemetery services are included in the current outdoor gathering limit of twenty-five people.

During any events, public or private, common sense precautions prevail. That includes masks covering your nose and mouth, staying with your household group throughout the services and keeping a sensible distance. Thank you . . . again . . . for your patience and understanding.