Reverend Father William Robert Connell entered peacefully to eternal life on April 28, 2023 at the age of 73 at the SSM Health St. Mary’s Care Center, Madison, succumbing to a long battle with a neurological disorder. He was born on September 7, 1949 in Janesville, Wisconsin. Father Connell is survived by his siblings Barb Curtis; Jim (Janice); John (Phyllis); Mary Joan Rebout; Peg (Marc) Gaida; Marilyn Runaas; Carolyn (Jan) Peterson, and Mike (Terri). He is predeceased by his parents, Robert and Catherine (Howard) Connell and two brothers: Joseph and Daniel.
After attending Grade School at Willowdale; Hillcrest, and St. Patrick schools, Janesville, and High School at Holy Name Seminary, Madison, Fr. Connell attended Edgewood College, Madison; St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, and completed his collegiate studies, including philosophy and theology, at St. John University in Collegeville, Minnesota. Fr. Connell was ordained to the sacred priesthood by The Most Reverend Cletus F. O’Donnell, Bishop of Madison, on May 23, 1975 at St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison.
Fr. Connell began serving in the Diocese of Madison as Associate Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Madison; Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Beloit, and St. Dennis Parish, Madison. He continued his service in the diocese as Pastor of St. Jude Parish, Beloit; Holy Mother of Consolation Parish, Oregon, and St. Stephen Parish, Clinton, from which he retired from full-time active ministry due to health concerns as Pastor Emeritus. He served as an Instructor and Dean of Students at Holy Name Seminary, Madison. Fr. Connell also served as Chaplain of: the Madison Serra Club, Knights of Columbus Our Lady of the Lakes Council, and Knights of Columbus Holy Mother of Consolation Council of which he was the founding Chaplain.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 1250 E. Racine Street, Janesville, Wisconsin, on Monday, May 8, 2023 at 11:00 am. The Most Reverend Donald J. Hying, Bishop of Madison, will celebrate the Holy Mass, with The Reverend Monsignor Lawrence Bakke as homilist. Visitation at St. John Vianney Catholic Church will be held on Sunday, May 7th from 2 pm to 6 pm, and on Monday from 10 am to 11 am before the Funeral Mass. Interment will take place after Mass at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Janesville.
Online condolences may be left at Daley Murphy Wisch & Associates for the family.