Robert Joseph O'Neill, III

Robert Joseph O'Neill Ill died March 13, 2026 at his home in Tuscumbia, AL from complications following surgery. He was born in the District of Columbia to Robert J. O'Neill Jr. and Barbara Ann Faulkner O'Neill on August 1, 1947. He attended St. Bernard School in Prince George's County where he also served as an altar boy. He attended high school in England at the White Friars School for Boys. 

He was a graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law, University of Maryland, earning his Juris Doctorate and was a member of the Maryland Bar Association. He worked with the Washington Post during his college years earning the nickname "Scoop" by friends. During college he maintained a strong interest in local, national and global current events. His professional highlights include serving as a highly successful executive/senior manager in areas of financial consulting, labor relations/employee relations and corporate law. He was chairman of Alacrity Collection Corp. and maintained a private general law practice. For 8 years was he served as Corporate Counsel for the Director of personnel and security for the Martin Marietta Corporation. He was promoted into the position of Director of Personnel to manage the company's Labor Relations. He then worked as a loan officer, but finished his career with the Bingham Mccutchen Law Firm in Washington, DC.

After a visit to the Shoals in the middle of Handy Festival, and with retirement looming, he and his wife Connie Walker O'Neill made the decision to move there full time. With fresh eyes and genuine appreciation, he took full advantage of all the area's culture. He loved the historical music, real Southern cooking, attended every founder's day and festival possible. He became a part of a monthly book club that became a favorite activity that provided inspirational reading and immediate friendships with the other members. He sought out intellectual stimulation by joining UNA's ILR program and made new friends at every class. He regularly attended sports events, symphony performances, community plays and always smiled when he could pull out his student ID!

The choice of living in a rural area brought new experiences to his life. The house and land evolved with his attention. He took great pride in maintaining the lawn and deemed it the best yard on the mountain. By happen stance, dogs were added to the O'Neill gang and became his best friends. His regular walks around the property were both bonding time and exercise. His team of companions routed out any critters within the boundaries from snakes, strays, skunks, squirrels, rabbits. They were there every time he walked outside to work, mow, clear areas, and pick blueberries. Bobby grew into such awareness and connection with nature. He noticed and revered the trees budding, birds nesting, geese flying, roosters in neighbor's farms, the first blooms of the magnolia tree and embraced all the changes of the seasons.

The planting of blueberry bushes upon moving in changed landscaping into edible landscaping! Over time, harvesting became a favorite hobby for him. The stages at each season, pruning, feeding, watering, picking, preserving and eating became a part of life. Having the berries anytime was the reward that he enjoyed daily.

Robert leaves behind his wife, Connie; their six shared sons, Heath O’Neill (Jenny) of MD, Brandon O’Neill (Patti) of MD, Jonathan Walker of WV, Dexter Walker (Melissa) of MD, George Walker of Prague, CZ, and James Walker of VA; 12 grandchildren, Griffin O’Neill, Kindred O’Neill, Ruby O’Neill, Robin O’Neill, Cressy O’Neill, Thomas Walker, Joseph Walker, Margarete Walker, Mead Walker, Lucy Walker, Annie Walker, and Henry Walker; three brothers, Michael O'Neill (Ruth) of FL, Kevin O'Neill (Leslie), of NV, Steve O'Neill (Lisa), of MD; and a sister, Bonnie O'Neill (Dario) of Broccolino, FL. 

He was the eldest male descendent of the Robert J O'Neill Clan of 52 first cousins.

Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka, MS is entrusted with the arrangements. 

A private burial will take place on Friday, March 27, 2026.

A Memorial Service honoring Robert Joseph O'Neill will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Sheffield, located at 103 East Fifth Street, Sheffield, AL 35660, on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. Visitation in the fellowship hall will follow the service.

He will be remembered fondly by so many relatives, co-workers, friends, for his love of life, humor, and the kindness he showed for all people. He lived his life knowing that his time was in God's hand and by the grace of God he would enter Glory. Robert Joseph O'Neill III was a good man.