William J. O'Connor

William J. O’Connor age 79, of Pigeon formerly of Zepherhills, FL and Elkton died Friday afternoon at Huron Medical Center, with his family by his side.
He was born January 21, 1933, in Chandler Twp. at the home of his parents, the late Bernard and Corinne (Suave) O’Connor. Bill grew up on the family farm and graduated from Elkton High School, Class of ’51.
On November 7,1953, he was united in marriage to Meta A. Thiel at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, Pigeon. They made their home in Elkton where they raised their family.
Bill farmed with the family and was also employed, working in sales, at Occidental Chemical Company, Elkton until retiring in 1977 for health reasons.
That year he and Meta moved to Zepherhills, FL where Bill kept busy working on and restoring old cars. He also enjoyed fishing and going to the Saturday sales finding antiques, near his Florida home.
He was a member of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, and past member of St Joseph in Zepherhills and St Felix, Pinnebog and a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Meta; six children, James O’Connor of Zepherhills, FL, Maureen (Randy) Reibling of Elkton, Beth (Phil) Veillon of Beaumont, TX, Carrie Jaksa of Shelby Twp., Michael O’Connor of Quincy, FL and Catherine (John) Carballo of Belleair, FL; five grandchildren, Kristin Reibling, Matthew (Michelle) Reibling, David (Lindsay) Reibling, Alicia (Waylon) Orns and Andrea Jaksa; five great grandchildren, Klaire and Adelyn Reibling, Owen and Emma Reibling and Jacob Orns; his sister, Mary Alice Gretz of Decker and two brothers, Sam (Karen) O’Connor of Meade Twp. and Robert (Tamara) O’Connor of Bay City.
A funeral mass will be celebrated 11:00 AM Tuesday, August 14, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Pigeon. Rev. Fr. John Wies, pastor will officiate with burial in St. Felix Cemetery, Pinnebog. A Knights of Columbus rosary service will be conducted 7:00 PM Monday at Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton where friends may call from 2 to 8 PM Monday and at the church after 10 AM Tuesday.
Memorials may be given to Multiple Sclerosis Society or St. Felix Cemetery Fund.