St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery , Kay County, Oklahoma

William P. "Bill" O'Connor, of 1412 Reveille, Ponca City, died early Saturday morning, November 3, 2001 at his home. He was 69.

Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Monday, 11 AM in St. Mary's Catholic church with Rev. John Michalicka as celebrant.

Bill was born William Patrick O'Connor on January 9, 1932, the son of Edward "Ted" and Clora Clark O'Connor. He grew up and attended schools at Waynoka, graduating from high school there in 1950. He attended the University of Oklahoma prior to joining the U. S. Navy in 1951. After four years, he was honorably discharged in 1955 and attended Southwestern State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy.

He and the former Flora Elizabeth "Flo" Good were married February 14, 1953 in Enid.

After working a few years in Texas he moved to Guymon in 1962 to establish O'Connor Pharmacy which he operated until 1972. The couple moved to Ponca City and purchased the Johnston Drug which he renamed O'Connor Pharmacy. In 1994 he retired, selling his interest in the pharmacy to his son, Tim.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and served on the finance and investment committees. Bill served as a board member of Pioneer Bank and Trust where he was on the audit, trust, discount and salary and benefits committees. He also served on the Ponca City Economic Development Advisory Board and was a member of the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, having served on the Board of Directors. He was a member and served on the board of the Kiwanis Club, and a member and former board member of the Ponca City Country Club and Men's GolfAssociation.

Bill was elected to Oklahoma State Senate where he served six years. He was a member and served on the Board of Directors of the College of Apothecarien national pharmacy organization. At the time of his death he was serving on the Board of Regions of Northern Oklahoma College and the board of the University Learning Center.

O'Connor was an instrument-rated pilot and his hobbies included flying, boating, fishing, golf, and traveling with his wife.

He is survived by his wife, Flora, of the home; son Steve and his wife Jenny O'Connor, Winthrop, daughter Kathryn and her husband Brian Horner, Edmond, and Timothy and his wife Rhoda O'Connor, Ponca City; six grandchildren, Kelsey, Emily, Lorraine, Jacques, Ryan, and Chad; a brother Jim and his wife Alice O'Connor, Helena, Montana, and a cousin Jeanette Ice, of Enid. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 N. Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.

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