Dec. 22, 1915 - Mar. 2, 2009
William L. "Bill" O'Brien, 93, of Albany passed away Monday at the Mennonite Home.
He was born and raised in Butte, Mont., the son of William and Rose O'Brien. After graduating from the Montana School of Mines in 1940, Bill was employed as an assayer by Anaconda Mining Company in Butte. This was followed by a stint as a metallurgical engineer in La Oroya, Peru. Upon returning to the U.S., Bill worked in Grants Pass and Cincinnati, Ohio. He joined the U.S. Bureau of Mines as a metallurgist in Albany in 1948; transferred to Reno, Nev., in 1958; and moved back permanently to Albany in 1962.
He married Verona Toman on Nov. 27, 1952. They resided in Albany and raised five children here. Bill retired in 1982.
Bill was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a Scout leader for Boy Scout Troop 132 for many years. He was also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. While employed, Bill was a member of the American Society for Metals; the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers; and Toastmasters International. After retirement, he was active in the National Association of Retired Federal employees.
Bill was an avid league bowler and cribbage player, and enjoyed camping and fishing with his family and the Boy Scouts. After retirement, he swam daily at the YMCA, accumulating over 3,000 miles. He had lifelong interests in reading science fiction and going to the movies, even moonlighting in the box offices of the Venetian Theater and the Albany Drive-In.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Verona; sister Rosemary Powolny; and brother Robert. He is survived by his sons, William of Corvallis and Patrick of Leaburg; daughters Mary of Albany, Maureen Collins of Federal Way, Wash., and Colleen of Portland; grandchildren Ethan, Claire, Reid, Lillian and Esme; and four nieces.
A viewing will be from noon to 7 p.m. Monday at Aasum-Dufour Funeral Home, followed by a rosary vigil at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albany. There will be a reception in the Gathering Space following the Mass.
Memorial donations may be made to the Albany General Hospital Foundation Hospice Project or to the Mennonite Village Foundation.
The family wishes to thank the caring staffs at Villas of Albany, Quail Run, the Mennonite Home and Samaritan Evergreen Hospice.
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