William Bernard O'Reilly

William B. O'Reilly Sr, 85, of Laurel, died November 4th. Bill was born to the late Patrick O'Reilly and Catherine (McGovern) O'Reilly in New York. He served in the United States Navy for 24 years, achieving a final rank of Master Chief. Some of his service was overseas in Japan, Morocco and Italy. While stationed at Cheltenham in Maryland, he met Mary Ellen Tayman of Brandywine and they were married in 1950. After completing his service to our country he went to work as a parts manager for White/Westinghouse. Bill was always active in community affairs, receiving numerous awards and citations for his service to the community. Upon his "retirement" he was an active volunteer in the SHIP program with the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging. He enjoyed reading, sports, collecting and good hearty debates. Survivors include two sons: Bill Jr and his wife Betty of Pasadena and David of Laurel; two daughters: Debbie and her husband Garry Fritz of Crownsville and Eileen and her husband Donald Messick of Pasadena; grandson Shawn Kidd of Scott Depot, West Virginia, son of daughter Gloria Jean who passed away in 2004; grandchildren Jennifer Carlson, Jonathan O'Reilly, Christopher Fritz, Ryan Fritz, Corey Messick and Kyle Messick as well as 5 great-grandchildren.
There will be a viewing Monday, November 11 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Donaldson Funeral Home, Talbott Ave. Laurel, MD. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 12 at 11:00 a.m. at Resurrection of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church, 8402 Brock Bridge Rd Laurel, MD followed by a brief military ceremony to be held 1 p.m. at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville. Following the ceremony, a gathering of friends and family will be held at the home of Debbie Fritz.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.donaldsonfuneralhome.com