William Thomas Parnell II

July 6, 1964 – May 16, 2026

William Thomas Parnell II — known to all who loved him simply as Billy — passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the age of 61. A lifelong resident of Rockville Centre, New York, Billy was a man of deep faith, fierce loyalty, and boundless warmth. The firstborn cousin on both sides of his family, he wore that distinction with pride and lived up to it fully — a natural leader and the beating heart of his clan, he leaves behind a community immeasurably better for having known him.

Those who knew Billy remember the unmistakable sound of their name called out with pure, unrestrained joy — a booming greeting and the biggest smile in the room. He met every reunion as if it were the greatest gift of the day, and that warmth is among the things those who loved him will miss most.

At the center of Billy's life was a love story four decades in the making. He and Cheryl first found each other nearly forty years ago, and life ultimately brought them back together permanently eleven years ago, with a wedding just a year and a half before his passing — a moment that felt less like a beginning than a long-overdue arrival. Through the years, Billy stood as Cheryl's devoted companion and steadfast caregiver, his dedication to her a quiet testament to the depth of the man he was.

A man who loved to work with his hands and to create, Billy held many positions throughout his life, most recently with the New York City Department of Sanitation. He also possessed a sharp entrepreneurial spirit, with a keen passion for investing in the stock market, real estate, and cryptocurrencies.

Music was the language of Billy's soul. He played guitar and sang in several rock bands, and served as the original founding bass drummer of Glór Na nGael Pipes & Drums — a role and a band he cherished for the rest of his life. In 2014, Billy was honored with Glór Na nGael's Thomas J. Lawless Memorial Award. A devoted Catholic and proud member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Billy's Irish heritage was not simply a point of pride; it was a defining thread woven through everything he was. He was honored as the AOH Man of the Year in April 2026.

Beyond his passions for music and community, Billy spent many enjoyable years as both player and manager for his softball team in the Rockville Centre adult league, and in his later years found great joy in gardening — eagerly awaiting the return of the farmers market each season.

Billy is survived by his beloved wife, Cheryl Parnell, and his stepdaughter, Valentina Ombres; his brothers, Michael (Mike) Parnell (Barbara) and Matthew (Matt) Parnell; his nephews, Chris, Mikey, Timmy, and Sean Parnell; his niece and nephew, Julia and Jack Parnell; his aunt, Loretta Metcalf; and many cherished cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Patrick Parnell and Linda Lebair Parnell; his paternal grandparents, William Thomas Parnell and Katherine Padden Parnell; his maternal grandparents, Harry Washington Lebair Jr. and Anna Fleming Lebair; and many beloved aunts and uncles.

Services

Memorial Gathering

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 | 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Glynn Funeral Home, Rockville Centre, New York

Funeral Mass

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | 10:45 AM

St. Agnes Cathedral, Rockville Centre, New York

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the

William T. Parnell Drumming Scholarship

A check can be made payable to 'William T. Parnell Drumming Scholarship' and can be mailed to Glor na nGael Pipes & Drums,c/o Piderit, 22 Pommer Ave. , Farmingville, NY 11738