George W. O'Neill

George W. O'Neill of Haines City, Florida went to be with the Lord on Friday afternoon, June 17th 2016 at Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center from heart complications. George was born on Power Line Road in Haines City on August 17, 1923 and grew up on Johnson Ave. As a boy, George attended Eastside Elementary School and would later graduate from Haines City High School. He started attending First Presbyterian Church in Haines City and after 82 years, he is still a member. After high school George joined the Navy and was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina where he met and fell in love with Alice Hecker O'Neill. They dated and were married in Charleston on April 14, 1946 and in April they celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary. After retiring from the Navy George worked in Soil Science, for the Soil Science Foundation testing soil for chemical mixtures for fertilizer. After that George worked with Robert Condon Harvesting, where he inspected fruit when they picked it up from the groves he would eventually retire from there. George and Alice, together, raised two sons, and one daughter. George was described as a quiet man, with a witty sense of humor who was a faithful servant to his church, and had a deep faith. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. George will greatly be missed by all who knew him. George is survived by his wife, of 70 years, Alice Hecker O'Neill, a daughter Violet Rose O'Neill, and a daughter-in-law Rosa E. O'Neill (Lamar). One grandson Lamar Allen O'Neill Jr., and two granddaughters Peggy Suzanne O'Neill and Christina Lynn Smith (Jason). Two great grandsons Heath Andrew Cowart and Jakob Kelly Barnes as well as four great granddaughters Kaytlin Christine Barnes, Alexes Nicole Cowart, Alyssa Noelle Barnes, Victoria Faith Cowart. One brother Robert O'Neill (Elaine) and three sisters Anne Walker (W.T. Bill), Helen Feagle (Ray), Patricia Adams (Jim), Robert O'Neill (Elaine). He was preceded in death by two sons Lamar Allen O'Neill (Rosa) and George William O'Neill. Five sisters Blanche Goldman(Fredrick), Elisie Oldaker (William), Beatrice Franks (Charles), Jean Unger (Wayne), and Martha Louella O'Neill. One brother Curtis O'Neill (Irene). The viewing will begin at 2:00 pm and go until 3:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Haines City. The Funeral Service will begin at 3:00 pm at the church with a burial to follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the family care of: Ms. Alice O'Neill PO Box 1360 Davenport, FL 33836.