William James O'Brien

William James O’Brien, 94, Crystal Lake, passed away peacefully at home on February 24, 2026. He was born in Taylorville, Illinois September 27,1931 to William and Tina O’Brien.

After completing his early education in Taylorville, his father, a coal miner who felt strongly about higher education wanted his son to be able to earn a “white collar” job someday. William attended Saint Mary's College of Minnesota, where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in 1953. He joined the Army from December 7,1953 through September 10,1955 spending the majority of his time at Fort Carson, Colorado. He then continued his studies later on at the University of Southern California, receiving his master’s degree in business and laying the foundation for a long and successful career. William worked for many years as a stockbroker starting at Kleiner, Bell & Co. in Beverly Hills, California and then moving to Dean Witter and eventually Paine Webber in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. After retirement, he enjoyed working at NordicTrack and 2nd Wind Exercise Equipment focusing on a different passion of his.

In 1967, while living in Los Angeles, William met the love of his life, Judith. They were married October 24,1968 and shared 51 wonderful years together until her passing in September 2020. Together they welcomed daughter Clare Elizabeth in 1971. They lived many happy years primarily on the Palos Verdes Peninsula of California. In 1994, they relocated to Illinois, where they would continue to build memories and enjoy their later years.

William was an avid horse racing fan and built many wonderful and storied relationships during his time spent at Hollywood Park, Santa Anita and Del Mar race tracks in southern California. For a time, he and Judith owned their own racehorse, Starlighter. He received joy from his dearly loved pets Linus (“Nussy”), Frisky, Pepper and Dolly Pearl. William loved family road trips, especially traveling to the Rocky Mountains, and vacations spent at their favorite resort, La Costa in Carlsbad, California, where countless family memories were made. He was a devoted supporter of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team.

He is preceded in death by his wife, parents and in-laws Robert and Helen Townsend. Survived by his cherished daughter Clare Barton and son-in-law Ken, dear granddaughters Charlotte and Elizabeth, sister-in-law Rosemary Nicholson and nieces and nephew Laura, Nancy and Tim.

There will be no formal service. His urn will be placed at Memorial Gardens in Estes Park, Colorado, right beside his beloved wife, Judith, and in sight of their treasured Rocky Mountains.

If one is so kind as to give a memorial gift, William, a loving BIL, was always very supportive of his wife’s 61-year involvement in the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Donations may be made in his memory to, P.E.O International, https://www.peointernational.org/.