O'NEIL, Harry Edward

Willcox Range News, Willcox, Arizona Tuesday, December 17, 2013 Harry Edward O’Neil 1932-2013 Local historian, author and lecturer Harry Edward O’Neil, 81, a resident of Richland Ranchettes, died Dec. 10, 2013 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Harry was born May 14, 1932 in Buffalo, N.Y. He was the youngest of four siblings. After spending his early childhood in the hamlet of Ebenezer, his family moved to Houston, Texas, and then to Long Beach, Calif. He graduated from Long Beach’s Woodrow Wilson High School in 1950. After attending Long Beach City College, where he majored in social science and played football, he went on to earn his B.A. from California State University at Long Beach in cultural anthropology, sociology and history. He completed his M.A. at St. John’s College Graduate Institute in classical philosophy and literature. After decades of teaching at the high school and college levels, traveling the world and following his muse, Harry retired and moved to Cochise County in 1994. He became a longtime volunteer for the Sulphur Springs Valley Historical Society, serving most recently as a vice-president on the board of directors. In recent years, he wrote numerous articles on Cochise County history and published four books: History of Tres Alamos; History of Sulphur Springs; The Land Before Horizon, about the early history of the Pearce-Sunsites area; and most recently, A History of the Croton Springs Ranch and the Point Of Mountain Stage Station. He was also a volunteer with Friends of the Elsie S. Hogan Community Library and other organizations. In addition, he helped establish historical markers in the Sulphur Springs Valley and lectured on local history at various locations throughout the region. Harry made many friends during his nearly two decades in Cochise County. All who knew him will dearly miss his friendliness, wit and sharp intellect. He is survived by his daughter, Shannon L. O’Neil of Brooklyn, N.Y.; brother, Byron W. O’Neil of Oceanside, Calif.; and many beloved nieces and nephews of the O’Neil, Moler and James families. A private remembrance service was held on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013 at his home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sulphur Springs Valley Historical Society or Charles W. Leighton Jr. Hospice. You may express online condolences at www.westlawnchapelmortuary.com. Arrangements entrusted to Westlawn Chapel, Mortuary and Crematory of Willcox, Ariz.