William (Billa) O'Connell

To Valerie Paddy and family

Please accept our sympathy on the passing of Billa
May he rest in peace

Very saddened to hear of Billa's passing. Lovely memories of recording his songs at Studio Fiona Fermoy. He was a wonderful warm character with yarns to beat the band.
Sincere sympathies to Nell, the extended family and all Billa's many friends.

For many decades, Billa endowed a most precious gift on multitudes of people - the gift of laughter and wonderful, innocent fun! He can never be replaced. Condolences to all his family. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Our deepest condolences to you Nell and your beloved family. May he rest in peace.

Sincere sympathies to the extended O'Connell family,on Billa's passing.
May he rest in peace.

It was only in the past few days that I’ve heard of the death of the great Corkonian, Billa.
Comhbhrón óm’ chroí to you, Nell, and to Mary, Judith, Valerie (Hill), Carol ann, and to Bill and Chris. Solas na Soilse go raibh ag a anam uasal.

Condolences to Valerie and Family. So sorry to hear of Billa's passing. May he rest in Peace

Sincere condolences to Bill and Family on the sad passing of your dad Billa. May he rest in peace.

I was very sorry to hear the sad news that Billa had passed. My sincerest condolences to Nell and all the family at this time.
My father, Dick Donegan was a good friend of Billa, and first met him when he taught him in Sullivan’s Quay. They were in Panto together and performed at many concerts over the years.
The first time I met Billa was when I was about fourteen and when I did a concert with my father at the Home for the Blind near the Victoria Hospital. Billa was probably MC and he recounted that evening, the story that he was with my Dad on the night I was born!
I subsequently did many shows with Billa, playing for the Sumner Revels, The Pantos in the Opera House and various functions with the Montforts. We had many a great night at the Group Theatre which was to later become the CAT club.
Billa was always the ultimate pro and gave his all to entertain. I remember him getting into fits of laughter, on stage, when he would ad lib if lines were missed! It always turned out better and he always had the audience in the palm of his hand.
While I have not seen him since I moved to the UK in 1979, my memories are no less vivid and I can still clearly hear his voice and laugh as if her were next to me.
I am grateful for all the times he made me laugh and hope that the similar memories you will have, will help to sustain you and and all the family at this sad time. RIP

Sincere sympathy to Nell, Valerie, Ciara ,Bill and all the O Connell family on the passing of your beloved Bill.
I have great memories of bill from my time working in Brookfield Leisure Centre where I enjoyed many chats and laughs and so did all the members.. Rest in peace Bill you lovely man.

May he rest in peace the funniest Cork Man, thanks for the memories. 🌹💕

Our heartfelt condolences to Carol Ann and all the O Connell family on the loss of their beloved Billa. We are thinking of you.

To the extended O'Connell family,

My sincere condolences to you all at this tough time.
I grew up in a pub called "Mac's Bar " in Cobh. I have many memories of my mam and dad in stitches at Billa's stories any time he would call to our place as his time as a rep with Beamish's. Billa was a big celebrity in our eyes. May Billa rest in peace.

Dear Mrs. O Connell and Family

I was really saddened to hear of the passing of Billa and have only fond memories of meeting him when growing up in Cork....I moved to London in 1987 and the last time we met was a couple of years ago when my father Pa and I met him whilst he was watching his grandson playing with the Barrs

If okay I would like to recall a story from way back when I was playing for Deerpark ( alongside Bill ) against the North Mon and had a terrible time in goal conceding quite a few all of which were my fault....when the match ended I was devastated and remember vividly Billa coming over to me and putting an arm on my shoulder and giving me a pep talk....I have never forgotten that gesture and will always hold him in the highest regard

May he rest in peace

Sincere sympathy to the family of Billa O’Connell.
Billa’s name was frequently mentioned in our house growing up. The first time I had the pleasure of meeting Billa in person was in the early 80s outside Redmond’s Hurling and Football Club, Tower Street where he was doing a charity gig. While chatting with Billa, we were joined by Paddy O’Callaghan, conductor of the Barrack Street Band and the conversation that followed had me in stitches. I met Billa many times after that. He was a great supporter of the Barrack Street Band and the Butter Exchange Band and this was evident when he featured on the Charity CD: The Barracka Buttera Song with his nephew, Bill (minor) O’Connell, and joined by his friends Sean Ó’Sé, Jimmy Crowley, Roy Buckley, John Spillane, Cha & Miah and Séan Óg Ó’hAlpin.
Cork has lost a great son. Billa was such a generous, kind gentleman who brought joy and laugher to so many. He’ll be greatly missed. RIP.

Sincere sympathy to the O,Connell family on the sad loss of "Billa", he will be greatly remembered and sadly missed by all.

Deepest condolences Val and to your Mum, brothers, sisters and family on the loss of your wonderful Dad... he will be so missed. You are in our hearts and thoughts... sending all our love Xx

I worked in The John Barleycorn Hotel for many years. Billa used to call on occasion. He was always a tonic - such a gentleman. We always loved to meet him. May his kind and gentle soul rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to Bill and the O’Connell family on the sad loss of Billa. May he Rest in Peace.

Deepest sympathy to all the family. Billa will never be forgotten for all the charity work that you did for us. Rest in peace.
From Con o Leary and all at Cons Shop

Bill,Aideen and all the O'Connell Family our sincere condolences on your sad loss. May Bill Rest in Peace.

My deepest sympathy to Nell ,Carol Ann Judith and all the O Connell family on the passing of Billa. Lovely memories of Billa.

Sincere sympathy to Carol Ann & Family on the death of your dad. May he rest in peace.

Sincere condolences Val, to you and your family on the passing of your lovely Dad, Billa. I have lovely childhood memories of him performing in the Panto at The Opera House. Thank you for sharing him with us all. Thinking of you at this time. May he rest in peace.

Deepest sympathies to the O’Connell family on Billa’s passing . Will Fennell

Our deepest sympathies to the O'Connell family on the sad passing of Billa. From Dónal & Gloria, beloved friends of Chris.

Sincere sympathy on the passing of Billa. May Billa Rest In Peace.

Sincere condolences to Bill and all the O Connell family on the passing of Billa. May he rest in peace.

Condolences to the O' Connell family, Great memories of Billa, he reached out to everyone he use to collect me in his car back in the days of the street leagues in the Barrs club.Rip

Sincere condolences to Nell and family on the sad passing of Billa,a true legend- Ní bheidh a leithéad arís ann.We all have great personal memories of him.Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Sincere condolences to all the O'Connell family and extended family on the passing of your husband, father, grandfather and father in law, Billa. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May he Rest In Peace.

Our sincere condolences to you Mary on the passing of your dear Dad. Thinking of you,your Mum, Judith, Valerie, Carol Ann, Bill and Chris at this very sad time. Rest in peace Billa.

To Valerie, Paddy & the extended O' Connell family.
Sincere condolences on the passing of your dear dad. May he rest in peace.
Thinking of you all at this very sad time..

Deepest sympathy to Nell and family on the passing of Billa, one of life’s loveliest human beings. Cinnte, ni bheidh a leithead ann arís.

Sincere sympathies to you and your family Eoghan for your loss. May he rest in peace. A wonderful legacy he’s left so many to remember him.

Sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Billa

Sincere condolences to the o connell family. Rip Billa.x

Deepest sympathy to Chris and all your family on the passing of your dad..

Sincere Condolances to the O Connell Family on the passing of Billa, thinking of you all at this sad time.

Sincerest Sympathy to Nell and all the family on the very sad passing of dear Billa, he was a gentleman and a great friend over the many years. May he rest in peace.
Dave and Pauline

Val, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. My sincere condolences to you and all of your family.

Sincere condolences to all the O'Connell family on the sad passing of Billa.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílís

Valerie and all the family my sincere condolonces on your dads passing .he will be sadly missed by you all.you are in our thoughts and prayers

Terry

Sincerest sympathy on Billa’s passing to Nell and family. Loved by all including those at 7 Lough Park , not forgetting Biddy.

Valerie, sincere sympathies on the passing of your Dad.

Sincere condolences to all especially to Valerie and the Hill family

Sincere sympathy to Mary, Brenda, Catherine and all of the Hayes/O'Connell family on the death of your beloved dad, and grandad, Billa. Rest in Peace.

My sincere condolences to Valerie and all the O'Connell Family on the death of Billa.
He will be missed by all. May he Rest in Peace.

Sincere sympathies to Nell and all the O’Connell family, on the loss of dear Billa. I have very fond memories of Billa and my late husband Dj and the banter they shared over GAA . May the memories you all shared as a family give you strength in the weeks and months to come.
Joan Kiely & family.
Ballyfeard.
(The late Dj Kiely’s family) Ex B&C

We offer our sincere sympathy to Nell, Valerie, Mary, Judith, Carol Ann, Bill , Chris, Paddy and extended O'Connell / Cotter families at this very sad time of Billa's death.
Fear macanta, dilis uasal den scoth a bhi ann i gconai..

Go raibh a anam riamh i measc na naomh is ar lamh dheis De.

I was so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing Bill. Condolences to you and Aileen and all your family. May he rest in eternal peace

My condolences to Val and family. Billa will be sadly missed by you and his legion of Cork Opera house fans,. No doubt he is now centre stage at the ever lasting Summer Revels, regaling all with his funny stories.

To Nell and Family. Whether on the Opera House stage, in cabaret at Blackrock Castle, or Beamish rep to my late wife Anne and I in the Criterion Bar in Passage West, and the annual meeting with our children behind stage, Billa was very much part of our lives. May he now rest in peace, though he'll still be alive in many memories.

My deepest condolences to all the O'Connell family on the passing of Billa. May he rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to Valerie and to all the O Connell family .
Billa brightened up our lives and will be sadly missed .
Ar dheis De go raibh. a anam uasal

Sincerest sympathy to the O Connell family on Bills passing If you listen you can hear the Angels laughing so you know where he is. A great man sadly missed May He Rest in peace

Our sincere sympathy to Carol Ann and the O' Connell family, may Billa rest in peace.

Valerie, Extremely sorry to learn of the loss of you Dad.

Sincere condolences to Mrs. O'Connell and all the family. Billa was a marvellous neighbour and was held in great esteem and affection by all of us as we grew up on the Park. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

Deepest condolences to Carol Ann and all the O'Connell family. May he rest in peace.