HJR8INTRODUCED
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HJR8
9YJXPBP-1
By Representative Daniels
RFD: Rules
First Read: 04-Feb-25
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5 9YJXPBP-1 09/12/2024 LMG (L)lmg 2024-2544
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First Read: 04-Feb-25
HJR___ MOURNING THE DEATH AND CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF
WILLIAM F. O'CONNOR, JR.
WHEREAS, it is with profound sorrow and deep regret
that we record the passing of William F. "Bill" O'Connor,
Jr. of Montgomery, Alabama, on September 9, 2024, at the age
of 73; his passing leaves a void in the lives of his loving
family, many friends, and the community where he was highly
regarded; and
WHEREAS, Bill O'Connor, who was known to many as OC,
built a national reputation as an innovative strategist and
problem solver with wide-ranging management talents serving
both public and private sector clients; his consulting firm,
Results LLC, specialized in education, governmental affairs,
and public relations issues; Bill led many successful
legislative initiatives ranging from economic development to
technology, biomedical research, public health, literacy,
and other key projects; and
WHEREAS, he advised candidates, officeholders, and
business leaders with equal measures of precision and
candor; he was known for his unmatched ability to foresee
emerging trends before they developed and recommend
insightful proactive solutions; and
WHEREAS, Mr. O'Connor was the second President and
CEO of the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), a position he
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CEO of the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), a position he
held from 1996 until 2003; during this time, he led the
5,000-member trade organization during a period of
significant growth; he is remembered for quickly providing
strong, stable leadership, and because of his statehouse
experience, personal relationships, and effective
communication skills, BCA never missed a step in fulfilling
and extending its mission as the voice of Alabama business;
and
WHEREAS, his career experience also includes the
Executive Directorship of the Alabama Press Association and
service as Director of Public Relations for the Alabama
Department of Mental Health; and
WHEREAS, with two degrees in Communication from The
University of Alabama, Bill O'Connor devoted a sizable
portion of his career to his alma mater; administrative
positions included tenure as Assistant to the President and
later as UA System Vice Chancellor for Governmental
Relations; committed to providing high quality instruction
to his fortunate students, Bill savored his time in the
classroom as Associate Professor of Advertising and Public
Relations for the College of Communication and Information
Sciences; and
WHEREAS, continuing his campus involvement, Bill
chaired the Advisory Board for the Blackburn Institute and
was inducted into the prestigious Blackburn Society; he
served on the College of Communication Board of Visitors for
over 20 years and received the College's Dean's Medal in
recognition of unsurpassed loyalty and commitment as well as
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recognition of unsurpassed loyalty and commitment as well as
the Bert Bank Distinguished Service Award and the
Outstanding Alumnus in Advertising; he chaired the College's
National Advisory Committee for the 2002 UA Capital
Campaign; and
WHEREAS, in keeping with his proud family tradition,
Bill was a dedicated member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity
and chaired the Phis' record-setting capital development
campaign; and
WHEREAS, while he was passionate about many things,
above all his greatest passions were being a husband,
father, and brother; in addition to his extended family and
friends, Bill O'Connor is survived by his beloved wife,
Vicki Gray O'Connor; daughter, Anna O'Connor Norris; five
siblings, Frances O'Connor Morgan (John), John Talty
O'Connor (Carrie), Julia Bradford O'Connor, Michael Brady
O'Connor, and Patrick Sheperd O'Connor; and brother-in-law,
Dr. Steven Mark Gray (Dana); and
WHEREAS, armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued
with a commitment to excellence, Bill O'Connor leaves behind
a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all who were privileged to
have known and loved such an amazing man; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the death of William F.
O'Connor, Jr. is recorded with deep sadness, and this
resolution is offered in tribute to his life and service to
others, along with heartfelt sympathy to his family, whose
grief is shared by many.
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