Former Business Council Of Alabama CEO, UA Administrator Bill O'Connor Dead At 73

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Former CEO of the Business Council of Alabama and University of Alabama System administrator Bill O'Connor Jr. died Monday after a brief illness, according to his obituary from Tuscaloosa Memorial Park & Chapel.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

He was 73 years old.

O’Connor was widely recognized for his innovative approach and strategic prowess in both public and private sectors, going on to become the founder of Results LLC. In that role, he provided consulting services in education, governmental affairs, and public relations.

In his role as CEO of the Business Council of Alabama, where he served from 1996 until 2003, O’Connor guided the 5,000-member organization through a period of notable growth.

BCA President Helena Duncan said O'Connor knew the value of building longstanding relationships and worked tirelessly to keep the business community and employers, both large and small, in the best position possible to create jobs and economic opportunities for Alabama.

“We are saddened to lose one of our visionary leaders," she said. "His tenure as president provided new innovations and built a solid bridge into the future that has served the business community well. The entire BCA family extends our sympathies and prayers to Bill’s family and his many friends and colleagues.”

O'Connor's career also included serving as executive director of the Alabama Press Association and as director of public relations for the Alabama Department of Mental Health.

From 2013-2019, he served as president & CEO of the Alabama Nursing Home Association, which acknowledged his passing this week.

"The Alabama Nursing Home Association is thankful for all Bill O’Connor did to improve the lives of nursing home residents and employees," the organization said. "We ask you to keep his family in your prayers during this time."

Apart from those leadership endeavors, O'Connor was heavily involved with his alma mater at the University of Alabama, where he earned two degrees in communication.

His work with the UA System includes serving as assistant to the president and later as UA System vice chancellor for governmental relations.

O'Connor also taught as an associate professor of advertising and public relations at the College of Communication and Information Sciences. According to his obituary, his involvement extended to leadership roles on the Advisory Board for the Blackburn Institute and the College of Communication Board of Visitors, where he received multiple accolades, including the Dean’s Medal and the Bert Bank Distinguished Service Award.

O’Connor is survived by his wife, Vicki Gray O'Connor; daughter, Anna O'Connor Norris; and his 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.

He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Dr. Steven Mark Gray (Dana), and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. O’Connor was preceded in death by his parents, William F. O'Connor Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Cooper O'Connor, and Jean Townsend O'Connor.

Graveside services for O'Connor will be held Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 1 p.m. at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park. The family will then host a reception at Indian Hills Country Club from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

A celebration of O’Connor’s life is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m. at the Montgomery Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be made to the College of Communication and Information Sciences at the University of Alabama.

Contributions can be sent to the University of Alabama Office of Advancement Services, Box 870101, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35486.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.