Dexter O'Neil

Canton - Allen Dexter “Buckey” O’Neil, 79, passed away on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at his home.

Dexter was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and a son of the late Allen and Irene Gragg O’Neil.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Cathy Reeves.  Dexter was a United States Marine veteran serving for 10 years attaining rank of Captain and was awarded the purple heart.  He retired in 1997 with 25 years of service with Champion International, was a member of Sonoma Masonic Lodge #472 AF & AM, the Sonoma #254 Order of the Eastern Star, and Shriners.  Dexter enjoyed his time spent with family and especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Morris O’Neil; two daughters, Shelley O’Neil of Monroe and Kerri “Sissie” Howell (Doug) of Canton; one brother, Terry O’Neil of Canton; three grandchildren, Seth, Jake, and Peyton; and three great-grandchildren, Aiden, Aspen, and Maggie.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 26, 2021 in the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Haywood Hospice, 13 Haywood Office Park, Suite 107, Waynesville, NC  28786 or to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 West Farris Road, Greenville, SC  29605.

The care of Mr. O’Neil has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes of Canton and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com