TEMPLE – William J. O’Connor Jr., of Temple, died Thursday, March 29, at his home.

He was born Nov. 5, 1921, oldest of eight children of the late William Joseph and Mary Anne (Screnock) O’Connor Sr. He attended schools in Wallington, Passaic and Rutherford, N.J., graduating from St. Mary’s High School in 1940.

He enlisted in the Navy Oct. 3, 1940 and after boot camp in Rhode Island, was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise on Dec. 6, 1940 and remained aboard her through 1945. He earned 18 stars to be worn on his Asiatic Pacific ribbons. After VJ Day he reported to the Salvage Diving School at Pier 88 in New York. He then moved onto Operation Crossroads, where the Navy was testing a nuke bomb to determine what effect it would have on Navy surface ships and submarines. He was honorably discharged after 20 years. He was discharged as a chief metalsmith.

His first job in Maine was with Farmington Oil. Then he was employed as maintenance supervisor at University of Maine in Farmington, until his retirement. On June 15, 1950, Bill married Esther Lundquist in Carlstadt, N.J. Esther died Dec. 22, 1995. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association. He was a avid bowler with “The Incredible Seniors” and loved to hunt and fish.

He is survived by brother, Raymond O’Connor of McClure, Pa.; sisters-in-law, Connie O’Connor of Carlstadt, N.J. and Charlotte O’Connor of Little Falls, N.J.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was also predeceased by father, William; mother, Mary; brothers, John, Michael, Owen and Joseph; and sisters, Elaine and Elizabeth.

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