William H. O’Neal was born on November 17, 1950 to Ervin and Dorothy (Ryckman) O’Neal in Gary, Indiana. He grew up amidst the sand dunes and waters of Lake Michigan. Bill took to camping and canoeing through Scouting with his father. He graduated from Wirt High School and headed for Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Starting as a geology major, he added a teaching degree. It was there that Bill and Gail Phillips met and married. With a teaching offer, they moved to Madison, Wisconsin. Bill taught 8th-grade science for 37 years in the Madison School District. He received the Distinguished Teaching Award. Bill loved science and middle schoolers. His forte was creating experiential ways to see science in action. He loved taking a group caving and introducing them to the total darkness of a cave.

Bill and Gail moved to their home on Baltzell Street in 1975 and entered a lively community of neighbors. They raised Caitlin and David. Bill knew the middle school curriculum and planned summer trips to places they would be encountering in the coming school year. National Parks were high on the list, as were several canoe trips to the Boundary Waters with dear friends.

They were able to travel internationally with dear friends in England and to places where Caitlin and Alex lived as international teachers.

Bill is survived by his wife, Gail, daughter Caitlin son-in-law Alex, son David, and daughter-in-law Danielle, and four lively grandchildren, Taylor, Nina, Luca, and Mila. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Kathy.

A service of celebration will be held on Saturday, April 11, at Middleton Community United Church of Christ, 645 Schewe Road, Middleton. Visitation is at 10 am with the service at 11:30 am. Luncheon will follow. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Park Foundation (NPF).

With great thanks to the community and staff at The Harbor, Bill’s memory care home.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Rd     Madison

608-238-3434