Ted O'Neil, Sr

Ted was born on November 26, 1927 in Wellington, Texas. He was the son of the late Austin and Leatrice Dean O'Neil. He served in the U. S. Marine Corps and played Marine basketball from 1946 - 1948. After finishing his tour of duty, he played varsity basketball at Texas Tech University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry. While at Tech, Ted met the love of his life, Raydell Gay and they were married on September 8, 1951. He worked for Steiner Valley Ranch as ranch manager from 1953-1994, but maintained a close, personal relationship with the Liedtke family who owned the ranch. After retirement, Ted continued to operate, on a daily basis, his own ranching and cattle properties in Hill County and Collingsworth County in the Panhandle. Ted was a leader in the Whitney community, always striving for the betterment of the town as he served, devoting many years as a member of the Whitney ISD school board, president of the Whitney Hospital Board, mayor pro-tem of the City of Whitney, and as president of the Hill College Board of Regents. He received numerous agricultural and ranching awards through the years. Ted left for his children and grandchildren a legacy of an appreciation for the enjoyment of fly fishing, hunting, and sports. He had a knack for telling colorful and entertaining stories of his life's experiences. He was fiercely competitive and prepared his family for life through the example he set. His friends loved to be around him....He was a good man, a Big Man.... the embodiment of intergrity, loyalty, gentleness, dependability, with a great sense of humor. He was true to his word, a strong take charge leader. Ted was a devoted and dedicated husband to Raydell. He always put her first. He was truly the wind beneath her wings. He was Big Ted O'Neil. We have lost a good one. In appreciation for Ted's service to his county a U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard presented a U.S. flag to the family. Bagpipes played Amazing Grace to end the committal service. As a fitting and final tribute to Ted, the family gathered at their family cabin and fired a 21 shotgun salute. Preceding him in death were his sister, Pollyanna O'Neil Adams and his brother Austin O'Neil, Jr. Surviving family members are his wife of 58 years, Raydell O'Neil, his children, Melaney Watson and husband, Barry of Whitney, Clay O'Neil and wife Deanna of Weatherford, Ted O' Neil, Jr and wife Leslie of Whitney, and Anna O'Neil of Brock. Grandchildren Misti Callaway and husband Jay of Whitney, Tessa Shambaugh and husband Scott of Fort Worth, Brandon O'Neil of Lubbock, Craig O'Neil of Whitney, Matt McSwain of Lubbock, Austin, Leigh and Mary Karen O'Neil of Weatherford, Elyse and Garrett Busby of Brock. Great grandchldren Zach and Nate Callaway of Whitney, and Kate Shambaugh of Fort Worth. Ted is also survived by a brother, Walt O'Neil and his wife Susan of Fort Worth and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Jim Neff, Jerry Jones, Ray Mabry, Keith Reed, Michael Hickman, Tim Hatch, Laura Bucholz, Billy Liedtke, Cadell Liedtke, Dodd Carmichael, Tommy Rose, Jay Harris, Edwin Gerik, and Jim Cato. Memorials may be made to the William C. Liedtke, Jr./Ted O'Neil, Sr. Scholarship Fund at Hill College, PO Box 619, Hillsboro, TX 76645.