Robert Lawrence O'Neill

Aiken – Mr. Robert “Bob” Lawrence O’Neill, 80, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at AU Medical Center surrounded by his wife and children.

Bob was born in Los Angeles, CA, a son of the late Patrick Harold and Emma Lee McCray O’Neill. He attended El Camino College where he was a letterman on the football team until he began working for United Airlines. At age 21, he became the airline’s youngest pilot. He retired #1 in seniority from United Airlines after 41 dedicated years of service. He was a proud patriot serving in both the U.S. Army and Air Force Reserves during Vietnam.

Bob was the best kind of man: intelligent, kind, loyal, dedicated family man and unfailingly modest. He always enjoyed sharing stories, insights, and humor wherever he went. To know him was to love him. Throughout his life he loved travel, tennis, cars, golf, and capturing nature in photographs. He was an avid bird watcher and had a big heart for animals, especially Weimaraners. A California native, Bob and his family moved to Aiken in 2007 where he became a member and volunteer with the North American Bluebird Society. He was also a member of the Woodside Plantation Reserve Club, Aiken Republican Club, and United Airlines Retired Pilots Association.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara Ann O’Neill; daughter, Kelley O’Neill (Doug) Kohr, Aiken; son, Kevin Patrick O’Neill, Aiken; and grandchildren, Dillon O’Neill Kohr and Delaney May Kohr. 

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Patricia Bushman, Marietta Smith, and Patrick O’Neill.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or Shriners Hospital for Children.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church with the Rev. Father Gregory Wilson officiating. Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium. The family will receive friends following the service in St. Michael Hall. 

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC