Mr. William Joseph O’Connor, 79, of Sterling, VA, passed away peacefully at home Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, surrounded by loved ones.

Bill was born June 25, 1933, in Brooklyn, NY. He was a son of the late William O’Connor and the late Mary Lyman. He was raised by his beloved aunt, the late Katherine Ferrara.

As a young man grew up in New York. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force.

Bill was instrumental in the Vietnam Tete-offensive in setting up air traffic control systems for the U.S. State Department in the late ‘60s. He continued to serve his country through the Federal Aviation Administration as a controller supervisor for 37 years, retiring in 1989.

He was a member of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church.

He was also active in the community playing in a senior softball league, a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles in Brunswick, MD, and a member of the Moose in Charles Town, WV.

Bill leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 12 years, Barbara Ann Marcum O’Connor of Sterling; his three daughters: Catherine O’Connor of Manassas, VA, Cheryl (Ritchie) Palmer of Bangor, ME, Robin O’Connor of Portland, ME; his step-son, Gregory (Margaret) Wheeler of Charles Town, WV; step-daughter, Michelle (James Siegel) Wheeler of Charlotte, VT; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his adopted brother William Ferrara of Gulf Breeze, FL.

Friends may call from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Circle SE, in Leesburg. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Union Cemetery, in Leesburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bill’s memory to The Foundation for End-of-Life Care, 3325 Hollywood Blvd, Suite 500, Hollywood, FL 33021.

Share condolences with the family online at www.LoudounFuneralChapel.com.