James William O'Neil

1930 - 2013

James William O'Neil obituary, 1930-2013

FUNERAL HOME

Palm Northwest Mortuary & Cemetery

6701 North Jones Blvd

Las Vegas, Nevada

James O'Neil Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 7, 2013.

COL. JAMES O'NEIL U.S. Air Force, Retired Col. James William O'Neil, U.S. Air Force (ret.) passed away June 7, 2013, in Las Vegas. He was born Oct. 20, 1930, in Canada. He served over 28 years in the U.S. Air Force and was a highly-decorated fighter pilot. He was a "Black Sheep," a "Flying Tiger" and a "Wild Weasel." He served during the Vietnam War and was a POW at Hoa Loa prison. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his daughter, Margaret (Douglas) Hughes; sons, Jim (Mayrita) and John; sister, Mary Yearwood; and six grandchildren. Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Monday, June 17, at Palm Mortuary, 800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson. Funeral services following, at noon, at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City. Committal to follow.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Northwest Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.

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July 27, 2013

Yvonna Lucas

I am very sorry for your loss. Although I did not know him, he was part of our Air Force family.

July 25, 2013

Kay Bosiljevac-Schneider

Nan and Family,
I pray that Jim is cradled gently in the hands of God.
His service was exemplary, and his legacy is great.
I will always remember that he stood on principle, and did not forget Michael.
Kay Bosiljevac-Schneider

July 25, 2013

Arthur Eggers

Although I did not know Col O'Neil personally, I served with him while assigned to Korat RTAFB, Thailand, from Aug 72-Aug73... I was their the day he and Major Bosiljevac were shot down in their F-105G Thunderchief 63-8302. I was assigned to the 388MMS and provided the air launched missiles that were supposed to keep them safe. Thank you for your service Sir! Arthur G. Eggers, Captain/USAF [Ret]

June 20, 2013

Diane Damewood

Nan, Margie, Jimmer, John and family: Col. Jim was one of our heroes too, along with our Dad. The friendship our families have kept throughout these years has been precious and fulfilling. Nan, you are a second Mom to Becky & I, we love you dearly. I know, along with his parents, that our Dad & Mom were on that heavenly flight line welcoming Col. Jim home. RIP, God Bless you. With respect, hugs and love, Diane & Becky Damewood

June 18, 2013

Ken Snoy

I am very sorry to about the passing of Col. O'Neil. I was fortunate to meet Col. O'Neil while I attended the Air Force Academy with Jim (Phant). Col. O'Neil was an inspiration to us all and provided us a wonderful example of a true leader. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

June 18, 2013

Our deepest condolences to the entire O'Neil family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Col. Mark Chinner & family

June 17, 2013

Marilyn & John Klatt

Nano and family. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you. An honor for us to have known Jim. A quiet, gentle man. Cherish your memories, as we will of our times with you and the Vegas Rollers bunch. God Bless

June 17, 2013

John & Ruth McCormack

34 years ago, I had the honor of being sworn in as a 2nd Lt. (along with most of my AFA squadron mates) by Col. O'Neil. He was a model to all of us: an inspiration, and exemplar of character, positive attitude, spirit, and good humor. He will be missed.

June 16, 2013

Ed and Donna White are sorry to hear of the loss of a great fighter pilot. Our deepest sympathy.

June 16, 2013

Farewell Col. O'Neil,
Husband and father to a great family.
To the "Animals" of 17th squadron (USAFA '79) you were a role model of leadership and an Honest to God, larger than life American Hero.
Jim, We're so sorry for yor loss.
John & Michelle Kuehn

June 16, 2013

Sharon Gardecki-Jordan

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of such a wonderful man.

My family often recalls a story of when my dad loaned his car to Col O'Neil (my dad was TDY at the time). When he returned the car to our house, I ran out to him thinking he was my dad (I was about 4 years old at the time, and I used to always do this with my dad). I gave him a huge hug around his leg, then looked up and said "oh, you're not my dad". He picked me up and gave me a hug as if he was.

I will always remember this and the many other fond memories of Col O'Neil.

June 16, 2013

Doug Trogstad

I knew the Col from my days at the Academy. His son and I were classmates, roommates, and life long friends. Our families were merged. Col Phant was an inspiration throughout my 28 years wearing an Air Force uniform. He was the example to us animals of how we should be and wanted to be as Air Force officers, leaders, pilots, fathers and men.
God bless his soul

June 15, 2013

Jim Padgett

It is with deep regret that I grieve over the passing of one of my worshipped Wild Weasel Thud pilots - Jim O'Neil. I first met Jim when he was at Korat AB Thailand as a Weasel Thud pilot when Larry Waller and I arrived at Korat Oct 66. Jim, Rick, Robbie and their backseaters were well on their way to completing 100 missions over N Vietnam. My next tour was at Nellis AFB NV as a Weasel EWO instructor where Jim was a Wild Weasel Pilot. Jim was always quiet and reserved. He was the smoothest stick I have ever had the unique pleasure of climbing up the ladder of the Thud and strapping in behind Jim. I also knew Jim as a Vietnam POW and have reveled over the manner he conducted himself throughout our Weasel career. God speed to my good friend. Jim Padgett

June 15, 2013

Nan, We share your sadness and will always remember you, Jim, and your family as good neighbors and life long friends. Love and Prayers,
Tony & Babs Gardecki

June 15, 2013

John and the O'Neil family...so sorry for the passing of this great man...your family are in my thoughts and prayers

June 14, 2013

Jim & Bebe,
We am very sorry to hear of Jim's Dad passing. I'm sure he was a fine man and a great husband and father to the O'Neil clan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Take Care.
The Cronin Family (North Reading, Ma.)

June 14, 2013

Dennis Bechtel

The O'Neill Family:

So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. I remember Jim from his work with Clark County Emergency Response when he collaborated with Clark County Planning on several projects.

He was a great guy and will be missed.

June 14, 2013

The O'Neil Family,

I am so very sorry to hear about Colonel O'Neil's death. He was my Operations Officer in the 17th Wild Weasel Squadron at Korat Roy Thai Air Base in Thailand. I was an Electronic Warfare Officer in the squadron and he was a terrific Operations Officer, pilot, and overall gentleman. I really admired him.

My pilot, Captain Gary Porter, and I were on his wing the day he was shot down near Hanoi. He was flying with Mike Bosiljevac. I will never forget that mission.

I have not seem him for about 15 years, but the last time I saw him, he looked the same as he did at Korat.

My sincerest prayers will be with him and his family. I am so very sorry.

Unfortunately, my wife and I are leaving town this morning, 6/14/13, and will not be able to attend the service. I apologize because I would really like to attend the funeral. We will not be returning to the area until late July, but I will try to contact Nancy then. My home phone is 702-458-9278 and e-mail is [email protected], if anyone would like to contact me.

Bob Pettit
Lt. Col., USAF (Retired)

June 11, 2013

Kathy O'Neil

I will always remember fondly the man I called "Pop" for so many years. my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

June 11, 2013

Bob O'Neil

Aunt Nancy,

My remembrances of Uncle Jim were of a gentle and soft spoken man. His love for my father was so deeply appreciated. I'm so sorry for not only your loss but the loss that everyone in the O'Neil family suffered -- not to mention countless numbers of people who knew and held Jim in such high esteem.

Bob O'Neil

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Palm Northwest Mortuary & Cemetery

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