James Donald O’Connell, 81, passed away April 23, 2006 in Coupeville following a long illness. He was born Jan. 18, 1925 in Spokane to Nelson and Vera (Johnson) Main. His father died when Jim was three years of age and his mother married Leo O’Connell, who adopted Jim and his sister, Jean.
Jim joined the U.S. Navy in Bellingham at age 18 and trained at Farragot, Idaho. He was medically discharged after a short time and went to work for Great Northern Railroad in Whitefish, Mont. He met his future wife Wilma “Billie” Lamberson and they were married in Spokane on Jan. 26, 1948.
At the start of the Korean War, the Navy recalled Jim to active duty. He served two years aboard NAS Whidbey and then was transferred to the Philippines for two years. He was then assigned to three years each at Olathe, Kansas and NAS Whidbey.
His duty stations then took him to Argentina, Newfoundland, Brunswick, Georgia and Coronado, Calif., where he trained with the U.S. Marines. He was assigned duty aboard the U.S.S. Iwo Jima and served as an air traffic controller during the Vietnam Conflict.
Jim returned to Whidbey Island, where he retired on August 2, 1971 as an ACC (E-7) with 30 years of military service. He was a veteran of three wars and served his country with distinction. He was a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Whitehead-Muzzall Post 7392.
Oak Harbor became the permanent home for Jim and Billie. Following retirement, Jim worked for the hardware section of Pioneer Department Store for several years and also for Corey Oil Company as a driver. His final career move was to NAS Whidbey as a civilian employee at AIMD in their tool room.
Jim is survived by his wife Billie of 59 years at the family home; by two sons, Mike O’Connell and wife Becki O’Connell of Auburn, and Dan O’Connell and wife Susy of Freeland; two daughters, Jill Lund and husband Brian of Puyallup and Kathy Hawn and husband Harry of Coupeville; six grandchildren, Christopher Rennieger of Phoenix, Andy O’Connell of Cameroon, West Africa, Casey O’Connell of Auburn, Alyssa Whipps and husband T.J. of Medford, Ore., Jennifer Lund and Mitchell Lund, both of Puyallup; one sister, Sheila of Seattle; and one great grandson, Matthew Rennieger of Phoenix.
Jim O’Connell requested no formal funeral services be conducted. Cremation was held. Burial at sea with full military honors will follow at a later date under the auspices of the U.S. Navy. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
