PALMETTO, Fla. — Dr. James Neil O’Neill died Friday, July 22, 2011.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Christ Episcopal Church in Vicksburg with the Rev. Sam Godfrey officiating. Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. Tuesday at Frank J. Fisher Funeral Home.

The beloved brother of the late Ethel O’Neill Salzer (wife of Daniel) of New Orleans, he was born in Vicksburg July 10, 1940 to the late J. Cyril and Anna Mae Hennessey O’Neill. He was the beloved uncle of Jeffrey Salzer and Ellen Salzer Horak.

He was the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. P.L. Hennessey and Mr. and Mrs. C.J. O’Neill Sr. of Vicksburg.

He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Mississippi, graduate degree from Northwestern University in Chicago and his doctorate degree in British history from the University of Virginia. He was a professor for many years at the University of Eastern Kentucky and co-owner of the Sterling Fox, a silver business jointly owned with his sister, Ethel.

He retired to Palmetto in 1999 and, following his move there, he continued to be active in supporting the arts and in teaching history until his death. He is survived in Palmetto and Sarasota by many close friends.

Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.fisherfuneralhome.net.