Honoring Bill O'Neil (1942-2025)

Bill (right) with father Art O’Neil, who joined W.E. O’Neil in 1935, working alongside his father, William.

A Legacy of Trust, Growth, and Relationships

It is with deep respect and sadness that we share the passing of William “Bill” O’Neil II, former CEO and Chairman of the Board, aged 83, who led our company through decades of significant growth and change. He passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving family, on April 10, 2025.

As the grandson of our founder William Edward, Bill O’Neil carried the family legacy forward with a focus on trust, growth, and the people around him. He joined W.E. O’Neil in 1967, working his way up through roles like layout engineer, superintendent, project manager, and estimator—learning the business inside and out. By 1985, he became CEO and led the company into a new era of expansion, partnering with major corporations and taking W.E. O’Neil to new markets across the country.

For Bill, the strength of the company always came from its people. In his own words: “Hire people that are smarter and better than you are. Then give them responsibility and let them grow. Promote them, praise them, and support them.” He trusted the people around him, giving them the tools and opportunities to succeed and carry the company forward.

“Bill was a thoughtful leader who empowered the people around him to take on as much responsibility as they could handle,” shared Mike Faron, former Chicago President and Chairman, who worked closely with Bill during his decades-long W.E. O’Neil tenure. “He was always concerned about our clients, employees, the O’Neil family, quality, and the company reputation.”

An important moment in Bill’s career came in 2020, when W.E. O’Neil became a 100% employee-owned company. This milestone was the result of a collaborative effort between leadership and the O’Neil family, ensuring the company’s future would belong to those who build it. “It is, and always has been, about our people—our W.E O’Neil family,” Bill said when reflecting on this change. “Putting them right up front is the right thing to do.”

“Bill O’Neil was a builder of people and a teacher of values,” remembers John Finn, CEO.” He led with humility, believed in doing right by others, and never hesitated to share success. His vision and generosity helped make us a 100% employee-owned company—because he believed every employee should share in what we build together. Bill’s legacy lives on in the culture he helped shape and the lives he touched.”

Bill’s care for the team extended beyond the work itself. He made time for picnics, jobsite visits, and small reminders that every person mattered. Through decades of change, Bill preserved what made W.E. O’Neil special, while setting it up to thrive for generations to come.

Outside his professional life, Bill was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. His warmth, creativity, and generous spirit touched all who knew him. In recent years, Bill’s heart belonged to the outdoors and the arts, with a passion for photographing wildlife and for music. He brought joy and connection to every gathering.

W.E. O’Neil was honored to accept the 2015 Large Family Business Award from Loyola University in Chicago. Attending the ceremony were many members of the family along with W.E. O’Neil employees.

“As I worked at W.E. O’Neil over the course of several decades, the one thing that became more and more apparent about Bill O’Neil was that he had two great loves in his life: the love he demonstrated for his family and the love and support that he showed for the employees of O’Neil,” shared Brian Ramsay, our previous CEO and current Chairman of the Board, who joined W.E. O’Neil in 1988. “I really came to admire how Bill was able to focus so strongly on both his home and work family, and was also able to make everyone that he touched feel important and special. He was a unique and special leader, friend, and family patriarch, and his legacy will carry on for many years to come. Rest in peace, Bill.”

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the O’Neil family during this time. The family shared a personal obituary which can be read on Legacy.com here.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Bill’s memory, honoring his legacy of love, laughter, and giving to:

– Center for the Arts (Jackson, WY)
– Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (Kanab, UT)
– St. Mary’s Food Bank (Phoenix, AZ)

Below are a few photos from Bill’s life and tenure at W.E. O’Neil.