William Thomas "Nugget" O'NEILL was born in the Tamworth NSW region on the 16th of December 1888( *exact location to be determined by birth cert - on order - possibly Pine Hills Estate as were his siblings). He was the third born child (and second son) of Patrick Joseph O'NEILL and Christina Janet PAT(T)ERSON.
William's father Patrick died of throat cancer when he was only three years old. His mother Christina never re-married, so presumably brought up the children by herself, and probably with assistance from her extended family members.
Like his two brothers, Ernest and Leslie, William moved north to Queensland.
William met Mary Elizabeth PATCH, and they were married at St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Toowoomba on the 24th of November, 1914. Mary's parents were farmers on Roslyn Station at Emu Creek, a settlement about 78km north of Toowoomba.
After their marriage, William and Mary lived at Killarney, Kooralgin and Kangaroo Flat where William was a timber-feller.
The National Archives war records for all three O'Neill sons indicate that they were all born at Crows Nest, a town approximately 44km north of Toowoomba.
In 1922 they journeyed with their friends, Mr and Mrs Archie Watts to Bonalbo in New South Wales, a town about 45km north east of Casino. Travelling by buggy, and with three small children and a baby, the trip took three days.
Two subsequent children were born at Bonalbo. It was when riding home from attending one of the births of these children, that Dr Willis was killed in an accident.
William was employed by the Bonalbo Timber Company until his retirement.
His wife Mary passed away in 1960. After her death he kept himself busy with lawn bowls and family holidays, including visits to his sister May in Newcastle.
William passed away on the 24th of November 1969, at St Vincent's Hospital at Lismore, the hospital two of his daughters had previously worked at as nurses.
There was a requiem mass celebrated in his honour, and he was buried at Bonalbo Cemetery on Tuesday, 25th of November 1969.
The following obituary appeared in the Northern Star 20th August 1970 edition;
"MR W. T. O'NEILL
The death occurred in St Vincent's Hospital Lismore, of Mr. William Thomas O'Neill, at the age of 80. Mr O'Neill's wife, Mary, predeceased him in 1960.
The O'Neill family came to Bonalbo with the late Mr. and Mrs. Archie Watts in 1921.
Until retirement Mr O'Neill was employed by the Bonalbo Timber Co. In later years he became a keen bowler, and holidayed with members of his family and with his only surviving sister, May in Newcastle.
Mr O'Neill is survived by his children, Nell (Mrs. P Laughren, Nambour), Tom (Ballina),Frank (Brisbane), John (Bonalbo), Mary (Mrs. F. L. Cawley, Ballina), Peg (Mrs. R Hannan, Sydney)."
**Shell record only - all certificates still to come **
*Birth certificate ordered 13/3/10
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